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HISTORY 

OF   THE   TOWN   OF 

SURRY 

CHESHIRE  COUNTY,  NEW  HAMPSHIRE 

From  date  of  severance  from 
GILSUM  and  WESTMORELAND 

1769 — 192.2L 
with  a 

GENEALOGICAL  REGISTER 
AND  MAP  OF  THE  TOWN 

by 
FRANK  BURNSIDE  KINGSBURY 

Member  of  New  Hampshire  and  Vermont  Historical  Societies;  Son  of  American 

Revolution;  Author  of  descendants  of  the  daughters  of  Nathaniel 

Kingsbury,  1904;  Marshall  Family  Record,  1912.. 


Published  by  the  town  of 

SURRY,  NEW  HAMPSHIRE 

19x5 


THE    CONCORD    PRESS 

CONCORD,  N.  H. 

1925 


copyright  by 

Town  of  Surry,  New  Hampshire. 

By 

HOLLIS   W.    HARVEY 

CLARENCE   H.   FRENCH 

GEORGE   H.   JOSLIN 

MRS.  ELLEN  H.  HARVEY 

J.    V.    STILLINGS 

MRS.     GRACE     E.     STILLINGS 

Town  History  Committee. 


Frank  B.  Kingsbury 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTER   I. 

PAGES 

GENERAL  HISTORY  5-14 

Name  and  incorpoi-ation — Situation  and  Boundary — Surface 
and  Geology,  Mineralogy — Ashuelot  River — Brooks  and 
Spring — Hills  and  Landmarks — Wild  Animals — Birds  and 
Fish. 

CHAPTER  n. 

INDIAN  HISTORY  15-18 

CHAPTER   III. 

EARLY  HISTORY  AND  CHARTER  19-29 

CHAPTER  IV. 

EARLY  HISTORY    (continued)  30-40 

Proprietors'  Records — Boundary  Lines — Lots  an rl  Ranges — 
The  New  Hampshire  Grants. 

CHAPTER  V. 

ROADS,  HIGHWAYS  AND  BRIDGES  41-60 

CHAPTER  VI. 

CENSUS  AND  VOTERS'  LIST  61-85 

Population  census — Revolutionary  War  census — First  United 
States  Census,  1790— Inhabitants'  census,  1806 — Voters  in 
Surry,  1825 — Census  of  1840— Industry  Census,  1850 — Voters 
in  Surry,  1922. 

CHAPTER  VII. 

MILITARY  HISTORY  86-114 

Surry  during  the  Revolutionai'y  War — Militia — New  Hamp- 
shire State  Militia — Surry  Militia  Company  in  1808. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

MILITARY  HISTORY   (continued)  115-133 

War  of  1812— War  of  the  Rebellion— World  War— Liberty 
Loans — Elliott    Community    Hospital. 

CHAPTER  IX. 

CIVIL  LISTS  134-169 

Town  Officers — County  Officers — State  Officers — Town  Topics 
— The  Village  Water  System — Surry  Fire  Company — Law- 
suits— Miscellaneous  Items. 


CHAPTER  X. 

ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY  170-208 

Old  Congregational  Church— The  Church  Bell— Early  Church 
Records — Rev.  Perley  Howes'  Ministry— The  Minister's  Tax 
— Orthodox  Congregational  Church — The  Crane  Meeting- 
house— The  Baptist  Society — Universalist  Society — Spiri- 
tualists— Salary  Tax  for  1803. 

CHAPTER  XI. 

EDUCATIONAL  HISTORY  209-242 

Schools — Common  School  Association — Surry  Literary  Club 
— Surry  Social  Library — The  Reed  Free  Library — Music — 
Old  Home  Week  Association — Masonic  Order — Surry  Grange 
— Reform  Club — Professions. 

CHAPTER  xn. 
INDUSTRIES  243-254 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

CASUALTIES  255-261 

Fires — Crimes — Tornado. 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

REMINISCENCES  262-274 

CHAPTER   XV. 

FAMILY  HISTORIES  275-337 

Cellai'-holes — House-sites — Dwellings — Mills — Shops — Places 
of   Historical  Interest. 

CHAPTER   XVI. 

CEMETERIES  338-406 

The  Village  Burying  Yard — Unmarked  and  Unknown  Graves 
— The  South  Cemetery — The  Southwest  Burying  Yard — Pond 
Road  Cemetery. 


PART    TWO. 
GENEALOGICAL  REGISTER  407-973 

GENERAL  INDEX  974- 

INDEX  OF  PERSONS 
INDEX  OF  PLACES 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 


Baxter-Shaw  Homestead 

Carpenter   Homestead 

Harvey    Homes 

Hayward    Homestead 

Holbrook  Tavern  . 

Joslin    Homestead 

Lily  Pond  . 

Perkins  Coat  of  Arms 

Perkins  Homestead 

Porter  Residence   . 

Nathan  D.  Reed  Farm 

Scriptures  Mill 

South   Schoolhouse,  No.   10 

Willard  Streeter  Residence 

Surry    Mountain    . 

Surry   Village,    Looking   North 

Toll  Gate   Site 

Village   Hotel 


PAGE 

310 
323 

298 
277 
313 
325 
265 
794 
306 
297 
315 
308 
280 
305 
264 
291 
303 
292 


LIST  OF  PLATES 


Lyna   and  Joseph   Allen   . 

George    W.    Britton 

John   Langdon    Britton 

Isaac  Brown 

William  and  Abigail  Carpenter 

Dr.  Jasper  H.  Carpenter  . 

Mason  A.   Carpenter 

Benjamin  Currier  Crosby 

Henry  T.  Ellis 

Eliphaz    Field 

Francis   F.   Field   . 

Nancy    (Robbins)    Grimes 

Eliza   Harvey 

Gecrge  K.  Harvey 

Jonathan   Harvey,  Jr. 

Peter    Hayward 

Peter    B.    Hayward 

Benjamin    Hills 

Elijah  Holbrook     . 

George  W.   Holbrook 

Edward  H.  Joslin  . 

George    Joslin 

Cyrus  Kingsbury  . 

Edward   A.   Kingsbury 

Frank    B.    Kingsbury 

Josiah    Kingsbury 

William   Henry   Porter 

David    Reed  .  , 

Samuel  Robinson  . 

Dr.  Samuel  Thompson 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nicholas  Vincillette 

Hollis    Wilcox 

Thankful    Robbins    Wilcox 

William  Wallace  Wilcox  . 


PACJE 
422 
482 
479 
493 
508 
514 
515 
557 
596 
605 
609 
838 
664 
665 
663 
677 
678 
684 
691 
692 
725 
726 
746 
744 
Frontispiece 
742 
810 
824 
842 
903 
912 
947 
948 
950 


PREFACE 

While  all  details  are  not  necessary,  a  general  review  of  conditions  that  led 
to  writing  this  history  may  be  of  interest. 

In  every  town  there  is  always  one  person  at  least  who  is  imbued  with  love 
for  his  native  town.  Even  as  a  school  boy  Francis  F.  Field  was  interested 
in  the  early  history  of  Surry,  and  from  old  people  collected  reminiscences 
which  he  jotted  down  on  odd  scraps  of  paper.  Because  of  his  effort  to  estab- 
lish the  last  resting-  place  of  early  inhabitants  many  unmarked  graves  that 
never  could  have  otherwise  been  known  can  now  be  placed  on  record.  He 
wanted  a  town  history  written,  and  endeavored  to  turn  public  opinion  along 
that  line.  In  1881  there  was  an  article  in  the  warrant  to  see  if  the  town 
would  "prepare  and  publish  the  early  history  of  the  town."  For  four  suc- 
ceeding years  the  same  article  appeared  in  the  annual  town  warrant,  but  at 
no  time  was  any  favorable  action  taken.  During  an  interview  in  the  winter 
1903-04  the  writer  urged  Mr.  Field  to  write  and  publish  a  history;  for  a  de- 
cade more  it  was  hoped  and  desired  that  he  would  undertake  the  task,  but 
lack  of  interest  in  earlier  days,  his  increasing  years  and  other  reasons  de- 
terred him,  and  realizing  that  he  could  not  do  the  work,  with  due  consideration 
he  generously,  and  much  to  my  surprise,  turned  over  to  me  on  August  20, 
1915  all  his  papers  and  notes  pertaining  to  the  town  under  condition  that, 
"in  case  anything  is  put  into  print  proper  mention  be  made  of  said  Field's  ma- 
terial." Five  days  later,  and  before  I  had  time  to  examine  the  material,  it  was 
announced  at  Surry  Old  Home  Day,  and  without  my  consent,  that  I  would 
"prepare  a  town  history  for  publication."  At  Old  Home  Day  the  next  year 
a  few  subscriptions  were  secured  to  assist  on  the  history. 

At  the  town  meeting,  March,  1917,  two  hundred  dollars  was  voted  to  help 
the  work  along  and  a  town  History  Committee  was  appointed.  At  the  an- 
nual town  meeting,  March,  1919,  it  was  voted: 

'■That  the  town  appropriate  the  sum  of  $700.00,  one-third  thereof  to  be 
raised  by  taxation  the  present  year  and  one-third  the  following  year  and 
the  balance  in  the  third  year  and  the  Committee  on  town  history  already 
appointed  is  hereby  authorized  and  empowered  to  make  such  contract  and 
arrangement  with  Frank  B.  Kingsbury  for  the  finishing  of  said  history 
up  to  the  printing  as  in  the  judgment  of  said  Committee  shall  be  for  the 
interest  of  the  town,  paying  therefore  cut  of  the  above  mentioned  sum 
and  the  selectmen  are  hereby  authorized  to  enlarge  said  committee  by  the 
appointment  under  their  hands  of  additional  numbers  whenever  they  may 
deem  it  expedient." 

The  tinie  required  for  the  author  to  complete  the  manuscript  has  taken  many 
months  more  than  was  anticipated,  he  regrets  the  delay,  numerous  causes, 
for  part  of  which  he  is  not  responsible,  have  retarded  progress. 

Hollis   W.   Harvey,   Clarence    H.   French,   George   H.  Joslin,   Mrs.    Ellen   H. 


Harvey,  J.  V.  Stillings  and  Mrs.  Grace  E.  Stillings  comprise  the  Town  His- 
tory Committee  and  they  have  carefully  read  the  manuscript,  and  in  their  hands 
rest  all  further  details;  the  writer  is  responsible  only  for  the  preparation  of 
the  manuscript  which  he  has  endeavored,  without  any  claim  to  literary  tal- 
ent, to  have  as  complete  and  free  from  error  as  possible. 

Many  people  have  generously  aided  in  securing  material  for  the  Geneal- 
ogical Register  which  would  otherwise  have  been  inaccurate  and  unsatisfac- 
tci-y.  Acknowledgment  for  the  assistance  rendered  by  the  History  Commit- 
tee is  hereby  given,  and  especially  to  Mrs.  Ella  E.  (Patten)  Abbott  of  West- 
moreland and  Keene;  Mrs.  Bei'tha  (Perkins)  Britton,  New  Haven,  Conn.; 
Mrs.  Jennie  Ball  Foster,  Los  Angeles,  Calif.;  Charles  M.  Scovell,  Haverhill, 
Mass.;  Carlos  E.  Barron,  Westminster,  Mass.;  Sewall  F.  Rugg,  Chesterfield; 
Charles  C.  Buffum  of  Keene,  Register  of  Deeds;  to  my  wife  who  has  compiled 
the  gravestone  records  and  has  done  much  research  work,  and  also  to  Samuel 
Wadsworth  of  Keene  for  his  excellent  work  on  the  map  of  the  town. 

It  has  been  the  constant  aim  of  the  writer  to  narrate  facts  and  piesent  a 
reliable  history.  May  it  in  some  degree  serve  its  purpose  to  perpetuate  the 
deeds  of  our  fore-fathers,  to  keep  from  oblivion  the  memory  of  the  old  home- 
stead. That  it  prove  both  satisfying  and  pleasing  to  the  sons  and  daughters 
of  Surry,  is  the  desire  of  the  author. 
Surry,  N.  H.,  1923. 

FRANK  B.  KINGSBURY. 


INTRODUCTION 

Aside  from  some  historical  data  gathered  by  the  late  Francis  F.  Field  no  at- 
tempt had  been  made  by  any  one,  to  the  writer's  knowledge,  to  arrange  and 
put  in  legible  form  the  events  pertaining  to  this  town,  and  the  compiler  of 
this  History  little  realized  in  the  beginning  the  labor,  time  and  research  nec- 
essary, for  to  attempt  writing  a  comprehensive  and  reliable  history  of  a  town 
more  than  one  hundred  and  sixty  years  after  its  first  settlement  is  a  difficult 
and  laborious  undertaking,  comprehended  only  by  those  who  have  accom- 
plished such  a  task. 

Chiefly  among  the  sources  of  information  have  been  the  old  Proprietors, 
town  and  church  records;  Cheshire  County  Register  of  Deeds;  file  of  New 
Hampshire  Sentinel;  Rev.  Perley  Howe's  private  records;  Mr.  F.  F.  Field's 
data;  local  town  histories  and  numerous  traditions. 

The  reader  naturally  desires  to  learn  of  early  conditions;  charter  and  in- 
corporation, when  and  from  where  came  the  first  settlers  and  sites  of  their 
log  cabins.  Would  that  we  might  portray  a  clear  and  true  picture  of  early 
Surry;  the  land,  the  pioneers  and  their  rude  cabins — we  fail!  It  is  now  im- 
possible! 

In  1730  this  part  of  New  England  was  a  vast  wilderness  through  which 
prowled  the  lynx  and  wild-cat,  the  howl  of  the  wolf  echoed  over  the  hills,  the 
bear  came  forth  from  his  cavern  den  in  search  of  food,  while  the  deer  leaped 
from  danger  to  safety.  Song  of  birds  filled  the  air,  flocks  of  pigeons  dwelt  in 
the  trees,  whistle  of  hawk  and  hoot  of  owl  were  daily  heard,  wild  turkeys 
roamed  the  woods,  and  the  beaver  labored  to  build  his  hut.  Giant  elm,  sturdy 
oak,  great  maple  and  monarch  pine,  which  had  never  felt  the  woodman's  axe, 
covered  the  land.  Towering  over  and  above  all  was  majestic  mountain, 
granite  bear-den,  pinnacle  and  conical,  bald  hill,  with  other  highlands  to  the 
north  and  west. 

Up  the  river  in  search  of  fish  and  game  came  the  red-men  marking  their 
own  path.  When  weary  of  travel  they  camped  on  the  brow  of  the  hill  at 
Whoppanock.  Then  came  the  white-men,  who,  taking  the  natural  course,  fol- 
lowed the  old  Indian  trail.  In  1732  the  first  settlement  was  made  in  Winches- 
ter, the  next  year  at  Swanzey,  Keene  in  1734;  in  the  Connecticut  river  valley 
Westmoreland  followed  in  1741,  and  after  eight  years  more  Walpole  in  1749. 
After  the  termination  of  the  French  and  Indian  war  in  1760  new  settlers 
began  arriving  to  take  up  the  land;  within  two  years  they  had  entered  the 
territory  of  Gilsum  and  Alstead.  The  fertile  Ashuelot  valley,  then  a  part  of 
Westmoreland  and  Gilsum,  was  entered.  Within  a  few  years  citizens  banded 
together,  a  new  town  was  carved  out,  and  on  Max'ch  9,  1769,  incorporated  as 
Surry. 

On  June  8,  1753,  Peter  Hayward,  then  of  Woodstock,  Conn.,  bought  five 
tracts  of  land  in  Keene.     Subsequently  he  purchased  additional  land,  all  of 


which  lay  in  Keene  adjoining  Surry  line.  In  1762,  he  was  living  in  that  part 
of  Westmoreland,  now  Surry,  but  documentary  evidence,  thus  fai',  has  not 
been  found  to  substantiate  the  tradition  that  he  was  the  first  settler  on  Surry 
soil;  it  is  with  keen  regret  that  the  compiler  of  this  work,  after  much  time  and 
research,  feels  obliged  to  make  the  above  statement.  There  still  remain 
Colonial  records  which  when  examined  may  reveal  the  true  conditions,  for  it 
is  probable  that  the  doughty,  honest,  intrepid,  old  Peter  was  "the  pioneer 
settler."  Tradition  says  he  built  his  first  log  cabin  east  of  the  highway  about 
20  rods  north  of  the  present  Samuel  L.  Newton  dwelling,  which  is  known  to 
have  been  erected  by  Peter  about  1764. 

William  Hayward,  Jr.,  Peter's  brother,  came  about  1762  and  settled  where 
Frank  E.  Ellis  now  resides.  John  Johnson,  whose  wife  was  a  sister  of  the 
Hayward  brothers,  came  from  Woodstock,  Conn.,  prior  to  1762,  and  probably 
settled  on  the  late  Edmund  Woodward  fai'm.  In  the  spring  of  1764  Mr.  John- 
son sold  his  farm  to  Jonathan  Parkhurst  and  removed  to  Winchester. 

Jan.  26,  1762,  William  Barron  bought  an  104  acre  tract  of  land  of  John 
Johnson  and  doubtless  settled  near  where  now  stands  the  J.  N.  Keller  cottage, 
formerly  the  Jonathan  R.  Field  place.  Benjamin  Whitney  was  another  early 
settler,  and  Charles  Rice  appears  to  have  settled  during  the  summer  of  1760 
near  where  Merrill  D.  Carpenter  now  lives,  while  Woolston  Brockway  came 
to  the  George  A.  Hall  place  about  1761. 

Owing  to  the  destruction  of  both  the  Proprietors'  records  and  the  Lot  and 
Range  table  of  Westmoreland  we  are  especially  handicapped  in  locating  where 
the  pioneers  settled  in  the  south  part  of  Surry.  In  the  north  part,  we  are 
more  fortunate,  as  there  still  exists  a  copy  of  the  old  Lot  and  Range  maps  of 
Gilsum. 

The  genealogical  register  has  required  months  of  work,  travel,  and  an  ex- 
tensive correspondence;  conflicting  names  and  dates  have  frequently  appeared 
but  it  has  been  the  constant  aim  of  the  author  to  have  as  few  errors  as  pos- 
sible. The  map  and  chapter  on  present  and  former  residences  will  be  appre- 
ciated by  many  and  we  trust  add  to  the  value  of  this  history. 

The  author  desires  to  thank  all  who  have  assisted  in  this  work  and  es- 
pecially the  Town  History  Committee,  Hollis  W.  Harvey,  Clarence  H.  French, 
George  Henry  Joslin,  Mrs.  James  E.  Harvey,  J.  V.  Stillings  and  Mrs. 
J.  V.  Stillings. 

FRANK  B.  KINGSBURY. 


History  of  Surry 

CHAPTER  I. 

NAME     AND     INCORPORATION— NATURAL     HISTORY— WILD     ANIMALS, 

BIRDS,   ETC. 

NAME  AND  INCORPORATION 

Surry,  Cheshire  County,  New  Hampshire,  was  incorporated  on  Thursday, 
March  9,  1769,  deriving  its  name  from  Surrey,  a  county  in  the  southern  part 
of  England,  from  which,  it  is  understood,  the  ancestors  of  many  of  the  early 
settlers  of  Surry  emigrated  during  the  first  half  of  the  seventeenth  century. 
March  19,  1771,  the  county  was  incorporated  and  named  Cheshire,  deriving 
its  name  from  a  county  in  the  western  part  of  England,  celebrated  for  the 
manufacture  of  cheese.  The  county  was  divided  near  its  middle  July  5,  1827, 
the  northern  portion  being  given  the  name  of  Sullivan. 

New  Hampshire,  one  of  the  thirteen  original  states,  received  its  name  about 
1630,  from  the  county  of  Hampshire  in  England,  the  home  of  its  first  grantees. 

SITUATION  AND  BOUNDARY 

The  town  of  Surry  is  situated  in  latitude  43°  1'  N.,  and  longitude  72° 
20'  W.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Walpole  and  Alstead,  east  by  Gilsum, 
south  by  Keene,  and  west  by  Westmoreland  and  Walpole.  It  is  6.7  miles  from 
Keene,  and  52  miles  southwest  from  Concord. 

In  general,  it  is  oblong  in  form,  approximately  thi'ee  and  one-fourth  miles 
wide  from  east  to  west,  and  five  and  one-half  miles  long  from  north  to  south. 
It  contains  about  12,212  acres,  and  is  one  of  the  smaller  towns  in  the  county, 
and  lies  a  little  northwest  of  its  center. 

SURFACE  AND  GEOLOGY 

The  surface  of  this  township  is  exceedingly  picturesque  and  pleasing,  hav- 
ing within  its  narrow  limits  valley,  upland  and  rugged  mountain  scenery. 
Through  nearly  the  length  of  the  town,  from  north  to  south,  extends  the 
arable  valley  of  the  Ashuelot;  the  river,  entering  from  Gilsum  near  Surry's 
northeast  corner,  flows  northwesterly  to  Shaw's  Corner,  where  it  turns  abrupt- 
ly to  the  south.  In  this  valley  are  located  many  excellent  farms,  providing 
the  principal  wealth  of  the  township. 

On  the  west  the  valley  gradually  rises  to  the  highlands  that,  form  the  di- 
vision of  the  waters  of  the  Ashuelot  from  those  of  the  Connecticut  River,  and 
the  boundary  line  between   Surry  and  Westmoreland  and   Walpole.     On  the 


6  History  of  Surry 

east  its  rise  is  abrupt  and  rugged,  terminating  at  the  summit  of  Surry  Moun- 
tain, the  barrier  which  contributed  to  the  formation  of  the  town  of  Surry. 

SURRY   MOUNTAIN 

The  eai-ly  deeds  speak  of  this  mountain  as  a  "great  mountain."  It  extends 
about  four  miles  in  a  north  and  south  direction,  and  from  its  top  is  obtained 
a  splendid  view  of  the  village,  valley,  and  the  hills  to  the  west,  and  the  Green 
Mountains  in  Vermont.  Nearly  every  occupied  house  within  the  township 
can  be  seen  from  one  or  more  points  on  the  mountain.  It  is  notable  not  only 
for  the  rugged  scenery  it  presents,  but  as  a  geological  study  and  for  the  valu- 
able minerals  it  is  supposed  to  contain. 

Tradition  has  it  that  the  Indians  knew  and  utilized  lead  deposits  here  more 
than  a  century  and  a  half  ago,  and  that  a  party  of  Spaniards  once  came  here 
and  carried  away  with  them  gold  ore.  The  Indians  are  said  to.  have  obtained 
bullets  by  simply  cutting  off  pieces  of  lead  from  a  ledge,  the  locality  of  which 
they  alone  knew. 

It  is  told  of  Capt.  David  Fuller  that,  while  crossing  the  mountain  to  his 
work  in  Gilsum,  he  found  lead  which  he  cut  off  with  his  axe  and  used  for  bul- 
lets, but  that  he  could  never  find  the  spot  a  second  time. 

Less  than  a  hundred  years  ago,  after  long  continued  fires  in  the  woods  on 
the  west  side  of  the  mountain,  places  were  seen  where  streams  of  molten  lead 
had  run  down  the  rocks. 

GEOLOGY   AND   MINERALOGY 

A  detailed  knowledge  of  the  geological  formation  and  mineral  resources 
of  this  town  is  not  deemed  of  utmost  importance  in  a  work  of  this  nature,  yet 
some  brief  mention  of  conditions  will  be  of  interest,  and  should  be  recorded. 
Of  Surry  it  is  said: 

It  forms  a  part  of  the  great  mineral  belt,  extending  from  New  Bruns- 
wick through  Maine,  New  Hampshire  and  Vermont,  a  part  of  western 
Massachusetts  and  eastern  New  York,  sinking  at  the  Hudson  to  appear 
again  in  southern  Pennsylvania  and  western  Maryland,  Virginia  and 
North  Carolina.  In  Surry  there  have  been  left  almost  in  juxtaposition, 
deposits  of  gold,  copper  and  galena.  The  gold  is  associated  with  perites 
of  iron,  occasionally  appearing  as  free  gold,  the  silver  in  the  form  of 
black  sulphurets  and  argentiferous  galena  flecked  in  spots  with  gray 
copper — or  hidrate  of  silver — and  the  copper  as  live  carbonates,  sulphur- 
ets, and  native,  many  specimens  of  the  copper  being  very  beautiful  oc- 
curing  as  leaves,  fern  shaped,  and  minute  wires  interwoven  with  crys- 
talline quartz. 

Prof.  C.  H.  Hitchcock  in  his  works  on  the  geology  and  glacial  drift  in  this 
part  of  New  Hampshire  gives  the  following  information  concerning  Surry 
and  vicinity: 

We  find  Surry  Mountain  composed  of  rock  that  is  more  like  mica 
schist  than  gneiss;  though  it  sometimes  has  the  character  of  a  mica- 
ceous gneiss,  and  sometimes,  though  rarely,  contains  fibrolite.  On  the 
west  side  of  the  mountain,  east  of  the  village  of   Surry,  about  three- 


History  of  Surry  7 

fourths  of  the  way  up,  there  is  a  vein,  sometimes  two  or  three  feet  wide, 
that  carries  galena,  zinc-blende  and  pyrrhotite.  It  appears  also  near 
the  north  end  of  the  mountain,  at  nearly  the  same  level.  The  southern 
extremity  of  Surry  Mountain  is  the  limit  of  this  band  of  the  fibrolite 
rock  southward.  The  rock  of  Bald  hill — which  seems  to  be  an  exten- 
sion of  Surry  Mountain  northward,  although  cut  off  from  it  by  the  deep 
valley  of  the  Ashuelot  River, — resembles  very  closely  the  White  Moun- 
tain gneiss,  and  probably  belongs  to  the  same  group  of  rocks  as  Surry 
Mountain.  The  quartzites,  quartz  schists  and  quartz  conglomerates  of 
Gilsum,  Surry  and  Keene  are  among  the  most  interesting  of  any  we 
have  examined,  but  they  require  more  careful  study  than  we  have  been 
able  to  give  them  to  understand  fully  their  relations  to  the  other  rocks. 
Then  there  is  the  quartz  of  Mine  Ledge,  that  extends  south  into  West- 
moreland and  Keene. 

In  the  southwest  part  of  the  town,  a  few  rods  easterly  of  the  Britton  place, 
there  is  a  limited  outcrop  of  quartzite,  which  is  very  near  the  quartz,  and 
there  are  two  beds  of  quartzites  in  Keene  and  Surry  which  have  been  dis- 
covered "separated  by  a  wide  band  of  gneiss  from  the  central  group."  The 
same  kind  of  rock  appears  in  Newport  and  Grafton,  forty  to  sixty  miles 
farther  north. 

Surry  Mountain  has  always  been  thought  to  be  rich  in  ore,  but  mining 
operations  have  met  with  but  indifferent  success. 

There  is  abundant  evidence  of  the  "Glacial  Period"  within  the  borders  of 
this  town,  not  only  on  the  sui'face  of  ledges,  but  from  the  large  number  of 
boulders  found  scattered  about  in  numerous  places.  Geologists  tell  us  that 
this  section  was  covered  during  this  period  with  a  vast  field  of  ice,  that  the 
sheet  even  passed  over  the  summit  of  Mt.  Washington,  6,200  feet  above  the 
sea  level.  Hence,  during  the  "great  ice  age,"  the  territory  now  embraced  in 
the  town  of  Surry  was  completely  covered.  It  is  known  that  the  ice  moved 
southeasterly  from  the  St.  Lawrence  valley.  The  true  course  of  the  "drift" 
over  Bald  hill  has  been  discovered  from  "scratchings"  found  on  the  rocks, 
and  is  "South  23°  East." 

Further  evidence  of  the  glacier  has  been  found  on  the  surface  of  a  large 
ledge,  a  few  rods  easterly  of  the  old  road  that  crosses  the  northwest  corner 
of  the  town.  Here  the  action  of  the  ice  mass  with  its  huge  fragments  of  de- 
tached rocks  has  ground  and  polished  the  outcropping  ledge  until  its  surface, 
after  being  exposed  ages  upon  ages,  still  retains  its  finish  and  glistens  in  the 
sunlight. 

Many  rocks  in  the  form  of  boulders  were  deposited  within  the  limits  of  this 
town  during  the  glacial  period;  they  vary  in  size  from  a  few  hundred  pounds 
to  many  tons  each. 

BUTLER'S  ROCK 

This  boulder  is  said  to  have  come  from  Ascutney  Mountain  in  Vermont,  and 
is  at  the  north  end  of  the.  town,  about  one-fourth  mile  north  of  Shaw's  corner. 
The  approximate  dimensions  are  twenty  feet  in  length,  width  and  height;  it 
probably  runs  six  or  eight  feet  below  the  surface. 

There  was  a  house  before  1835  on  the  west  side  of  the  road,  opposite  this 


8  History  of  Surry 

boulder,  occupied  by  Mr.  Butler,  and  for  many  years  this  rock  was  known  as 
"Butler's  Rock,"  although  since  about  1876  as  "Ascutney  Boulder." 

*BRITTON  BOULDER 

In  a  pasture  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  town,  some  forty  rods  east  of  the 
dwelling-  house  of  Walter  H.  Britton,  can  be  seen  a  boulder  worthy  of  special 
mention.  It  is  composed  largely  of  white  quartz,  wholly  unlike  other  rocks 
found  in  town.  Like  most  boulders,  its  general  form  is  spherical;  it  is  about 
twelve  feet  in  diameter  and  rests  on  the  surface  of  the  ledge  much  like  a  huge 
apple  on  a  small  platter;  about  it  are  several  fragments  of  rock,  once  evident- 
ly a  part  of  it. 

From  the  top  of  this  boulder  a  splendid  view  is  obtained  in  all  directions: 
the  Richmond  hills  in  the  south,  grand  Mt.  Monadnock  and  the  city  of  Keene 
in  the  southeast,  Nelson  hills  and  Surry  Mountain  easterly,  and  Alstead  hills 
at  the  north;  and  then,  turning  to  the  northwest,  west  and  southwest  one  can 
trace  the  Green  Mountain  range  in  Vermont  from  near  the  middle  of  the  state 
until  it  is  lost  in  northwestern  Massachusetts.  In  the  west,  and  overtopping 
the  whole,  is  seen  Stratton  Mountain,  from  which  echoed  the  boom  of  the 
cannon  at  Bennington  on  Aug.  16,  1777, 

BOULDER  ON  JOHN  COLE  PLACE 

In  the  wood  lot,  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Frank  E.  B.  Mason,  about  fifty 
rods  southwest  of  the  old  John  Cole  place,  is  a  red  colored  boulder  of  consid- 
erable size,  the  nature  of  which  differs  from  other  rocks  in  town.  It  rests 
almost  wholly  above  the  surface  of  the  soil,  is  twenty  feet  in  length,  twenty 
in  thickness,  and  fully  twenty  in  height.  Several  fragments,  broken  from 
it,  lie  close  at  hand. 

A  later  period  than  than  of  the  "glacial  period"  is  thus  described  by  the 
late  Rev.  Josiah  L.  Seward : 

"If  a  birds-eye  view  of  the  vicinity  of  Keene  in  what  geologists  would 
call  a  recent  geological  age,  could  be  reproduced  for  us,  it  would  disclose 
a  vast  lake  covering  the  beautiful  valley  of  what  is  now  Keene.  It  ex- 
tended on  the  north  to  the  hills  of  Surry,  with  a  bay  reaching  to  the 
high  lands  of  Alstead.  Surry  Mountain  was  a  beautiful  promontory 
jutting  into  this  lake  from  the  northeast,  which  a  bay  reaching  up  what 
is  now  the  Beaver  brook  valley  separated  fi'om  Beech  hill.  The  western 
shore  was  on  what  we  call  the  West  Mountain  and  the  hills  of  West- 
moreland and  Surry.  The  outlet  was  by  way  of  what  we  call  the  valley 
of  the  Ashuelot,  into  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut.  The  lake  must  have 
been  a  most  beautiful  sheet  of  water,  about  fifteen  miles  in  length  and 
from  three  to  five  miles  in  width.  Evidences  of  its  existence  have  been 
repeatedly  discovered  and  described.  Gradually  the  soft  earth  at  the 
outlet  was  worn  away  and,  little  by  little,  the  lake  disappeared,  until 
only  traces  of  it  were  left." 


'U.    S.    Signal    Station    established    on     this     boulder    about     1S80. 


History  of  Surry  9 

*  ASHUELOT  RIVER 

The  earliest  inhabitants  of  the  valley  which  succeeded  the  lake  described 
above  were  the  Ashuelot  (?)  Indians,  who,  it  is  said,  gave  their  name  to  the 
river  which  flows  through  this  town  in  a  southerly  course. 

Ashuelot  river  is  by  far  the  most  important  stream,  and  the  only  river  in 
town.  In  its  course  of  about  fifty  miles  it  has  a  fall  of  nearly  1200  feet,  and 
is  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  important  rivers  of  its  size  in  the  state  as  re- 
gards power  for  manufacturing  purposes.  Its  head  waters  are  in  several 
small  ponds  in  the  town  of  Washington;  flowing  in  a  southwesterly  direction 
to  the  Connecticut  river,  it  passes  through  Marlow,  Gilsum,  Surry,  Keene, 
Swanzey,  Winchester  and  Hinsdale.  In  Surry  it  varies  in  width,  but  gen- 
erally is  from  three  to  four  rods  wide.  For  the  first  mile  after  entering  town, 
.owing  to  its  descent,  the  current  is  somewhat  rapid,  the  river  bed  rough  and 
rocky,  but  below  Scripture's  milldam  the  fall  is  slight,  and  the  stream  flows 
gently  onward  into  Keene.  Hence,  but  few  opportunities  are  aff'orded  from 
which  to  develop  water  power;  two  only  have  thus  far  been  utilized. 

LILY  POND 

Upon  the  summit  of  Surry  Mountain,  near  its  center,  is  a  notch  in  which 
lies  Lily  pond,  a  body  of  water  covering  a  few  acres,  and,  from  its  altitude,  it 
is  looked  upon  as  a  natural  curiosity.  It  has  its  outlet  in  a  sparkling  brook 
which  rushes  down  the  mountain  side  to  unite  with  the  Ashuelot.  This  pond, 
.seven  hundred  and  fifty  feet  above  the  meadows,  and  in  the  hollow  of  the 
mountain,  is  probably  eighty  feet  deep  in  some  places.  It  is  not  an  uninter- 
esting spot,  although  still  and  lonely,  yet  it  is  neglected  even  by  the  birds,  who 
do  not  for  some  reason  care  for  the  sameness  of  its  shores,  which  are  for  the 
most  part  swampy  and  thick  with  underbrush.  Fallen  trees,  doubled  by  their 
own  reflection  in  the  water,  point  their  long  tapering  trunks  far  out  over  the 
pond,  and  the  ground,  covered  with  bright  green  moss,  trembles  as  one  passes 
along.  Following  the  pond's  outlet  on  the  west  side  down  the  mountain  side 
are  many  beautiful  cascades  leaping  over  the  lichen-covered  rocks. 

BROOKS   AND    SPRING 

Lily  pond  brook,  mentioned  above,  comes  down  the  west  side  of  Surry  Moun- 
tain, and  is  an  outlet  of  Lily  pond,  from  which  its  name  is  derived. 

Benton  brook,  so  named  as  early  as  1799  and  later  called  "Cannon"  brook, 
has  its  source  in  the  south  part  of  Alstead,  and  enters  Surry  at  the  northeast 
corner,  then  flowing  south  enters  the  Ashuelot  not  far  from  the  Gilsum  line. 

Thompson  brook  was  known  by  that  name  as  early  as  1805,  taking  the  name 
from  Dr.   Samuel  Thompson,  who,  at  that  time,  lived  near  its  banks.     The 


*This  name  appears  in  the  early  records,  as  follows : — ^Ashawhelock,  Ashawelloc, 
Asheurlit,  Ashewelot,  Ashewillot,  Ashuellot,  Ashuellott,  Ashtierlot,  Ashulott,  Ashurlott, 
Ashuwelot,  Ashwilit,  etc.  The  name  Ashuelot  "was  originally  written  Nashua  lot;  the 
Indian  word  nashue  signifies  in  the  midst,  and  was  applied  by  them  to  a  point  or  angular 
piece  of  land  lying  hetween  two  branches  of  a  stream  or  other  water;  ut  means  at.  The 
application  of  the  word  is  here  plain.  The  natives  called  the  triangular  peninsular  formed 
by  the  bend  of  the  Connecticut  and  touched  on  the  east  by  the  smaller  stream,  nashue  ut, 
and  the  settlers,  without  inquiring  into  the  specific  meaning  of  the  word,  made  it  the 
name  of  smaller  stream.  By  omitting  the  initial  n  and  with  the  introduction  of  1  before 
the  termination,  it  makes  a  most  musical  appelation.  The  regret  is  that  our  fathers 
did  r.ot  retain  more  of  those  apt  and  significant  Indian  names."  Temple  and  Sheldon, 
from   Keene   Hi.story,   page    15. 


10  History  of  Surry 

brook  rises  in  Alstead  and  flowing  southward  into  Surry  enters  the  Ashuelot 
river  near  Shaw's  corner. 

Mack  brook,  another  small  stream  from  Alstead,  enters  Thompson  brook  a 
few  rods  north  of  the  old  Holbrook  tavern. 

Scovell  brook  rises  in  the  edge  of  Walpole,  flows  in  an  easterly  course  in 
Surry  and  empties  into  the  Ashuelot  a  mile  south  of  the  Alstead  line.  Henry 
Scovell  settled  near  its  banks  as  early  as  the  spring  of  1784. 

Harvey  brook  rises  in  the  southeast  corner  of  Walpole,  flows  easterly 
through  Surry  and  enters  the  Ashuelot  above  "Whoppanock"  hill,  receiving 
its  name  from  Capt.  Thomas  Harvey,  who  settled  in  that  part  of  the  town 
about  1766. 

Fuller  brook,  a  small  stream  rising  northwest  of  the  village,  flows  in  a 
southeasterly  direction  and  crosses  the  farm  where  Joshua  Fuller  settled 
several  years  before  the  Revolution,  and  enters  Harvey  brook  east  of  the 
highway. 

Beaver  brook,  so  named  as  early  as  1790,  is  a  small  stream  that  flows 
through  the  marshy  meadow  land  southeast  of  the  village.  Here  was  once 
the  home  of  beavers. 

Smith  brook  crosses  the  highway  at  the  foot  of  Sand  hill,  east  of  the  old 
home  farm  of  Col.  Jonathan  Smith,  Jr., — M.  D.  Carpenter  place,  1922 — flows 
s.  e.,  and  empties  into  the  Ashuelot. 

John  S.  Britton  brook  in  the  south  part  of  the  town,  has  its  source  near 
Mine  ledge  and  empties  into  the  millpond  at  the  south  part  of  the  town.  It 
was  named  from  John  S.  Britton,  who  lived  near  this  stream,  on  the  old 
Gilbert  road.     This  was  known  as  "Hayward's  brook"  in  1805. 

Black  brook  has  its  source  in  the  southwest  part  of  Surry,  and  enters  the 
west  part  of  Keene  south  of  the  old  John  Cole  place. 

Cole  brook  rises  in  the  south  part  of  the  town,  flows  southerly  near  where 
John  Cole  lived,  and  joins  Black  brook  on  the  edge  of  Keene. 

Of  the  springs  in  town  but  one  is  worthy  of  special  mention,  the  one  which 
supplies  the  village  with  a  good  quality  and  quantity  of  pure  spring  water. 
This  spring  is  located  west  of  the  late  Lewis  F.  Blake  place,  and  natural 
gravitation  carries  its  waters  to  different  parts  of  the  village.  In  place  of 
the  "old. oaken  bucket"  many  of  the  people  now  living  in  town  have  spring 
water  piped  to  their  buildings. 

HILLS   AND   LAND-MARKS 

Wilbur  hill  is  in  the  south  part  of  the  town;  named  for  Amasa  Wilbur,  and 
is  situated  largely  on  his  farm. 

Arrow  hill  is  in  the  southwest  corner  of  the  town.  Some  60  years  ago  an 
Indian  bow  and  arrow  wei-e  cut  in  the  ledge  on  the  hill  by  William  Mason. 

Mine  hill,  or  Ridge  hill,  is  also  in  the  southwestern  part  of  the  town.  Here 
the  Spaniards  began  excavation  work  before  the  Revolution. 

Hedgehog  hill,  above  and  separated  from  the  last  named  hill  by  the  "gulch" 
through  which  the  Pollard  road  was  built,  was  the  home  of  the  bear,  and  also 
the  porcupine. 

Gilbert  hill  was  named  for  Ebenezer  Gilbert  who  early  lived  in  town  on  the 
Gilbei't  road — now  Cottage  street. 


History  of  Surry  11 

McCurdy  hill  is  a  short  distance  north  of  where  Samuel  McCurdy  settled 
before  the  Revolution.  This  hill  is  conical  in  form,  about  150  feet  high,  and 
is  composed  largely  of  rock  with  several  small  boulders  on  top. 

Kingsbury  hill  is  on  the  main  road  between  Surry  and  Keene,  and  was 
named  from  William  Kingsbury  who  lived  near  the  foot  of  the  hill.  Dinah's 
rock  is  by  the  roadside  about  half  way  up  this  hill. 

Sand  hill,  also  called  Carter's  hill.  The  first  name  has  ever  been  appropri- 
ate owing  to  the  large  amount  of  sand  over  which  teams  must  pass.  The 
Carter  family  at  one  time  lived  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  and  their  name  was 
given  to  it  for  several  years.  Smith  brook  crosses  the  road  near  the  foot  of 
the  hill. 

Bear-Den  hill  is  a  conical  shaped  rocky  hill  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile 
southwesterly  from  the  village.  It  is  perhaps  300  feet  high,  and  near  its  sum- 
mit is  a  natural  cave  in  which  it  is  said  bears  took  refuge  in  early  times. 
Several  boulders  have  found  lodgement  on  this  elevation.  Tradition  says  it 
was  named  about  1850. 

Meetinghouse  hill  is  the  highway  just  north  of  the  old  meeting-house. 

Fuller  hill  was  where  Joshua  Fuller  settled  north  of  the  village,  now  the 
Hollis  W.  Harvey  homestead. 

Harvey  hill,  on  the  Harvey  road,  was  where  Capt.  Thomas  Harvey  settled 
in  1766.     E.  H.  Joslin  now  owns  the  Harvey  lands. 

Carpenter  hill,  on  the  Carpenter  road  which  went  nearly  to  the  Walpole 
town  line,  was  where  Jedidiah  Carpenter  settled  about  1778. 

Marvin  hill  in  the  northwest  corner  of  the  town  was  where  John  Marvin 
settled. 

Bald  hill  from  its  altitude  and  form  may  be  classed  next  in  importance  to 
Surry  Mountain.  It  is  an  immense  granite  cone  about  500  feet  in  height;  on 
its  top  was  once  a  boulder  a  few  feet  in  diameter. 

Wilcox  hill  on  which  Asa  Wilcox  was  an  early  settler  is  in  the  north  part 
of  the  town. 

TREES 

The  town  was  originally  heavily  wooded;  some  of  the  principal  forest  trees 
are  the  oak,  sugar  or  rock  maple,  white  maple,  beech,  birch,  bass  wood,  ash, 
elm,  cherry,  spruce  hemlock,  and  pine.  For  more  than  seventy-five  years  wood 
and  timber  from  Surry  Mountain  and  wood  lots  hav6  been  hauled  into  Keene; 
this  has  contributed  largely  to  the  wealth  of  the  town.  Fruit  trees  were  form- 
erly more  abundant  than  in  recent  years;  the  higher  land  in  the  west  part  is 
considered  especially  adapted  to  fruit  culture.  Of  the  smaller  fruits  the 
blackberry,  raspberry,  blueberry  and  strawberry  are'  usually  plentiful  in 
their  season. 

A  TREE  CURIOSITY 

West  of  the  Town  hall,  beyond  the  bridge  which  crosses  the  brook  a  few 
rods  from  the  steep  bank  and  a  rod  or  more  south  of  the  Harvey  (or  Joslin) 
road,  is  a  group  of  fine  oak  trees,  each  over  one  foot  in  diameter,  and  all  ap- 
parently coming  from  one  root.  These  trees  spread  so  as  to  form  a  cup 
shaped  hollow  in  which  there  is  water  through  nearly  all  the  summer  months. 


12  History  of  Surry 

When  full  the  surface  of  the  water  is  two  feet  across  and  about  the  same 
distance  from  the  ground,  and  the  pool  is  eighteen  inches  in  depth. 

WILD    ANIMALS 

The  early  settlers  found  wild  animals  in  plenty.  Especially  numerous  and 
of  great  annoyance  were  the  black  bears.  Wolves  were  often  seen  in  early 
days,  also  lynx  and  wild  cat,  deer  and  moose,  raccoon  and  foxes,  as  well  as 
muskrat.     Beavers,  mink  and  otter  were  occasionally  found, 

Surry,  like  other  towns  in  this  vicinity,  had  its  "experiences"  with  Bruin, 
and  several  "bear  stories"  have  come  down  to  us.  Frequently  feeling  the 
pangs  of  hunger  or  the  desire  for  a  meal  of  fresh  pork,  bears  would  enter  a 
farm  yard  and  attack  the  pig-sty,  and  attempt  to  carry  off  its  occupant.  In 
three  instances,  at  least.  Bruin  was  unsuccessful,  and  in  two  instances  it  was 
the  bear  that  paid  the  "extreme  penalty." 

HENRY  SCOVEL  AND  THE  BEAR 

About  1790  when  Henry  Scovel  was  living  on  the  Streeter  road,  a  bear  came 
and  took  his  pig  and  started  for  the  hill  northeast  of  the  house.  Mr.  Scovell, 
hearing  the  "squeals,"  ran  and  rescued  his  pig,  but  was  obliged  to  climb  a 
tree  for  his  own  safety.  Here  he  remained  for  several  hours,  closely  guarded 
by  Bruin,  till,  by  his  whistling,  he  finally  succeeded  in  calling  Ezra  Carpen- 
ter's dogs  who  kept  the  bear  on  the  defence,  while  he  clambered  down  from 
the  tree,  secured  his  gun  and  dispatched  the  brute. 

MOSES  D.  FIELD,  HUNTER  OF  BEARS 

Moses  D.  Field  was  quite  a  hunter  and  killed  several  bears.  A  very  large 
fat  bear  was  discovered  one  day,  and  he  and  others  followed  its  tracks  on  the 
mountain  and  in  the  meadow.  Several  shots  were  fired,  none  of  which  ap- 
peared to  take  effect,  but  finally  in  trying  to  climb  the  steep  bank  east  of  Mr. 
Field's  house  (about  40  rods  north  of  the  old  toll-gate)  the  beast  fell,  Mrs. 
Field  coming  with  more  bullets  she  had  run,  another  charge  finished  the 
killing,  and  the  bear  was  rolled  down  the  hill  to  the  meadow. 

OTHER  BEAR   STORIES 

It  is  said  that  bears  in  early  times  lived  on  Hedgehog  hill  southeast  of  the 
Everett  E.  Wilbur  place;  that  a  bear  came  there  and  got  a  pig  from  the  pen. 
Bruin  was  making  all  haste  to  get  away,  walking  on  his  haunches,  with  the 
"squealer"  clasped  to  his  breast,  when  discovered. 

When  Benjamin  Merrifield  was  living  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  town — 
where  Mrs.  George  L.  Britton  now  lives — Mrs.  Merrifield,  an  elderly  woman, 
went  to  the  barn  one  day,  and  finding  a  bear  there,  killed  it  with  a  fire  shovel. 

Eight  bears  were  killed  by  Jesse  Dart  and  Capt.  David  Fuller  one  fall. 
John  Merriman,  who  settled  in  the  edge  of  Walpole  before  the  Revolution, 
owned  a  50  acre  lot  in  Surry  on  which  is  a  natural  den  or  cave;  he  is  said  to 
have  killed  several  bears  in  this  vicinity. 

Probably  the  last  bear  seen   in   town  was  the  one  owned  by  James   Davis 


History  of  Surry  13 

when  he  was  living  at  the  present  C.  H.  Hodgkins'  place.  For  a  while  he  had 
a  cub  chained  to  a  tree  near  the  road;  sometime  in  1844  he  swapped  for  a 
colt  with  a  Mr.  Sparhawk,  whose  father  soon  after  was  seriously  injured  by 
the  bear  springing  at  him.  The  timely  arrival  of  Mr.  S.  with  a  sled  stake 
and  a  "finish"  of  the  cub  was  a  finish  of  this  incident. 

MRS.  HILLS'  TALES  OF  WOLVES 

Some  of  the  most  authentic  tales  of  conditions  as  they  existed  in  town  be- 
fore 1800  have  come  from  the  lips  of  Mrs.  Lucy  (Thompson)  Hills,  who  was 
born  about  1766,  and  was  a  daughter  of  John  Thompson  who  lived  on  the  farm 
of  the  late  Charles  W.  Reed.  The  dwelling  house  at  that  time  was  standing 
in  the  field  some  rods  east  of  the  present  barns  on  this  farm,  and  was  just 
over  the  line  in  the  town  of  Alstead. 

In  her  old  age  she  took  much  delight  in  relating  some  of  the  incidents  of 
her  childhood  to  the  younger  generation,  and  the  younger  generation  have 
passed  those  same  stories  down  to  us. 

It  was  never  safe  at  that  time  for  one  to  travel  at  night  without  taking  a 
fire  brand  along  to  keep  off"  the  bears  and  wolves;  both  were  plentiful  and 
numerous,  and  a  source  of  much  annoyance  and  danger.  The  adjacent  hills 
provided  a  safe  retreat  for  all  wild  animals.  One  day  a  cow  came  running 
and  bellowing  to  the  Thompson  house  with  a  bear  clinging  to  her  back;  the 
women  came  out  and  drove  the  brute  off. 

When  a  child,  Mrs,  Hills  went  one  day  to  a  neighbors  (where  Leon  A. 
Hodgkins  now  lives),  and,  upon  returning  home  at  dusk,  heard  steps  in  the 
path;  on  looking  back,  she  discovered  a  wolf  close  at  her  heels.  She  began  at 
once  jumping  up  and  down,  flapping  her  skirt  and  screaming  at  the  top  of  her 
voice;  all  this  caused  the  creature  to  withdraw  a  little,  and  she  repeated  it 
every  few  rods  until  reaching  home  with  the  wolf  at  her  heels,  she  buTst  open 
the  door  and  fell  in  a  faint  across  its  sill. 

On  another  occasion  she  and  her  sister  were  berrying  on  the  hill  northeast 
of  the  house  when  she  saw  fresh  bear  tracks.  Her  desire  for  the  berries  being 
greater  than  her  fear  of  a  bear,  she  continued  filling  her  pail,  and,  after  re- 
turning home  without  meeting  his  bearship,  she  told  her  sister  what  she  had 
seen,  and  the  sister  was  greatly  frightened. 

FRESH  BEEF  OR  WOLVES! 

This  incident  also  had  its  happening  in  the  north  part  of  town  toward  the 
close  of  the  eighteenth  century.  A  man  and  two  boys  were  returning  home 
with  a  load  of  hay  on  which  they  had  a  quarter  of  beef.  A  pack  of  wolves, 
scenting  the  meat,  gave  chase;  to  keep  them  at  bay  it  was  found  necessary  to 
cut  off  and  throw  small  pieces  of  the  meat  to  the  wolves.  This  was  kept  up 
till  they  reached  home  in  safety,  but  with  the  loss  of  a  good  portion  of  the 
beef. 

LYNX  AND  WILD-CAT 

About  1851  William  Kingsbury,  the  famous  "fox  hunter,"  shot  a  large 
Canadian  lynx  on  Surry  Mountain,  and  received  a  state  bounty. 

A  girl  living,  in  the  days  of  "long  ago,"  in  the  north  part,   (now  the  Hodg- 


14  History  of  Surry 

kins  place)  on  going  out  of  doors  for  chips,  discovered  a  young  lynx  near  the 
buildings. 

While  Benjamin  Carpenter,  Sr.,  was  living  on  the  late  S.  H.  Clement  farm, 
his  daughter  shot  a  wild-cat  from  off  the  ridge  of  the  barn. 

BIRDS 

The  migration  of  flocks  of  wild  geese,  going  north  in  spring  and  south  in 
the  fall,  is  occasionally  seen  at  the  present  time,  but  their  number  has  dimin- 
ished yearly.  It  is  not  known  that  they  made  this  town  their  home  during 
the  summer. 

The  wild  turkey  was  a  valuable  bird,  and  once  lived  in  this  vicinity.  They 
were  usually  found  where  they  could  feed  upon  nuts,  the  south  side  of  a  hill 
being  their  haunt  in  winter.  They  have  been  extinct  for  fully  seventy-five 
years. 

Wild  pigeons  were  once  numerous.  In  the  spring  they  came  north  in  great 
flocks,  and  during  the  summer  were  found  in  dense  forests  more  generally 
than  elsewhere.  Late  in  summer  they  would  again  congregate,  and  return 
south.  As  late  as  1840  great  flocks  would  be  heard  in  flight  several  seconds 
before  they  could  be  seen.  Now,  so  far  as  known,  not  one  remains  in  the 
United  States.  Early  settlers  of  this  town  killed  great  numbers  of  them  for 
food;  during  the  fall  of  1816 — the  cold  year — they  were  of  special  value  owing 
to  the  almost  total  failure  of  crops. 

Partridges  have  been  hunted  for  years,  and,  although  never  very  plentiful, 
their  numbers  do  not  seem  to  decrease. 

Other  birds  once  found  here  were  the  eagle,  hawk,  cat  owl,  lark,  blackbird, 
wren,  robin,  cat-bird,  martin,  bobolink,  king  bird,  song  sparrow,  swallow, 
whip-poor-will,  and  several  others. 

FISH, 

Nearly  all  our  streams  formerly  abounded  with  the  fish  common  to  the 
waters  of  this  vicinity,  but,  owing  to  dry  seasons  and  other  reasons,  few  of 
the  finny  tribe  now  remain.  The  varieties  found  were  the  brook  trout,  pick- 
erel, perch,  shiner,  sucker,  minnow  and  cat-fish  or  horned  pout.  The  common 
eel  was  once  quite  plentiful  in  the  river. 


CHAPTER   II 
INDIAN   HISTORY 

The  Indian  history  of  this  town  is 'exceedingly  meager.  What  we  here  give 
is  largely  from  the  pen  of  early  writers  in  this  vicinity;  a  few  trustworthy 
traditions  that  have  been  handed  down,  though  possibly  not  wholly  accurate, 
are  in  general,  fairly  reliable. 

The  name  of  the  tribe  of  Indians  formerly  inhabiting  the  Ashuelot  valley 
was  Squawkheag — some  times  called  "Ashuelot  Indians."  The  territory  oc- 
cupied by  the  tribe  extended  northward  to  the  headwaters  of  the  Ashuelot 
river,  easterly  to  Mt.  Monadnock,  south  to  Miller's  river,  and  several  miles 
west  of  the  Connecticut  river.  This  region  was  abandoned  by  the  Indians 
some  years  before  the  landing  of  the  Pilgrims  and  it  is  not  definitely  known 
whei-e  they  went  when  they  left  here,  but  they  probably  joined  with  those 
higher  up  on  the  Connecticut  river,  or  went  to  the  St.  Francis'  tribe  in  Can- 
ada. It  is  not  known  that  there  is  any  deed  in  existence  by  which  the  Indians 
conveyed  away  this  land,  neither  is  it  known  that  they  ever  complained  of 
losing  their  possessions. 

At  the  great  bend  of  the  Connecticut  river  in  the  town  of  Hinsdale,  near  the 
mouth  of  the  Ashuelot  was  the  "spearing  place,"  an  Indian  village  of  the 
Squawkheag  tribe,  from  which  place  they  ascended  the  Ashuelot  river  to  its 
source. 

In  Swanzey  there  is  conclusive  evidence  "that  there  was  once  a  large  settle- 
ment of  Indians  at  the  Sand  bank,  on  the  southeast  side  of  Ashuelot  river 
near  Sawyer's  Crossing.  *  *  *  *  Traces  of  an  irregular  fortification  inclos- 
ing several  acres  of  ground,"  existing  in  1890 — Swanzey,  N.  H.,  History. 
July  22,  1882,  while  Henry  M.  Darling  was  grading  about  his  new  set  of 
buildings  (588  Court  street  in  Keene),  in  removing  a  small  knoll  a  few  rods 
west  of  the  present  barn,  three  Indian  skeletons  were  unearthed,  buried  in  a 
sitting  position,  facing  toward  Grand  Mt.  Monadnock.  This  was  three  miles 
south  of  Surry  town  line  and  60  or  70  rods  east  of  Ashuelot  river. 

An  Indian  arrowhead  was  found  in  the  pasture  northwest  of  W.  F.  Gates 
house  (in  Keene)  about  1900 — a  few  other  Indian  relics  have  in  earlier  tinies 
been  found  in  towns  farther  up  the  Ashuelot  valley.      » 

The  only  Indian  camping  place  in  Surry  of  which  we  have  any  record  was 
at  the  extreme  east  point  of  the  "plain,"  about  70  rods  easterly  of  the  village 
cemetery,  commanding  a  good  view  of  the  valley  north  and  south.  Since  the 
early  history  of  this  town  this  spot  has  been  known  as  "Whoppanock,"  and  is 
mentioned  in  deeds  as  early  as  1781. 

There  can  -be  no  doubt  that  they  (the  Indians)  were  well  acquainted 
with  all  these  hills  and  streams,  hunting  bears  and  wolves  and  deer 
from  Surry  Mountain  to  Bear-Den  (in  Gilsum),  and  fishing  up  and 
down  the  Ashuelot  river.  A  few  arrow-heads  and  other  relics  have 
been  occasionally  found,   •  — From  Gilsum  History,  1881. 


16  History  of  Surry 

It  is  quite  probable,  that  at  a  date  prior  to  the  settlement  of  this 
town,  these  wandering  sons  of  the  forest  made  excursions  over  these 
hills  and  followed  up  the  streams,  fishing  from  ponds  and  hunting  in 
the  woods;  but  there  is  no  evidence  that  they  ever  lived  here  for  any 
great  length  of  time.  Indian  relics,  such  as  arrow-heads,  have  been 
found.  — From  Washington  History,  1886. 

WHOPPANOCK 

"Far  among  the  mountains  spreading  wide 
By  woodland  and  riverside, 
The  Indian  village  stood; 
All  was  silent  as  a  dream 

Save  the  rushing  of  the  stream 
And  the  blue  jay  in  the  wood." 

— Longfellow. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  April  23,  1746,  a  party  of  Indians — supposed  to  be 
about  100 — appeared  at  the  settlement  of  ''Upper  Ashuelot"  (now  Keene)  ; 
Mrs.  McKinney  and  John  Bullard  were  killed  near  the  fort;  Nathan  Blake 
taken  prisoner  to  Canada.  The  Indians  surrounded  the  fort  and  the  battle 
raged  until  noon,  nine  of  their  number  being  killed.  *Mr.  Blake  after  being 
pinioned  was  conducted  by  an  Indian  into  the  woods,  and  after  travelling  up 
the  valley  about  three  miles,  they  came  to  a  stony  brook,  the  Indian  stooping 
to  drink.  As  Blake's  hands  were  not  confined,  he  thought  he  could  easily 
take  up  a  stone  and  beat  out  his  brains.  "He  silently  prayed  for  direction; 
his  next  thought  was,  that  he  should  always  regret  that  he  had  killed  an 
Indian  in  that  situation  so  he  refrained.  No  particulars  of  his  journey  to 
Canada  have  been  obtained,  except  that  he  passed  by  Charlestown;  at  Mon- 
treal he  with  another  prisoner  of  the  name  of  Warren,  was  compelled  to  run 
the  gauntlet."  Mr.  Blake  was  conducted  through  Surry,  then  over  the  hills 
in  what  is  now  Alstead  to  old  No.  4,  from  thence  along  the  usual  route  taken 
by  the  Indians,  both  befoi'e  and  after  this  period,  which  was  to  cross  the 
Connecticut  river  near  the  mouth  of  Black  river,  ascending  that  stream  to  its 
headwaters;  crossing  over  what  is  now  Mount  Holly,  taking  up  the  head- 
waters of  a  branch  of  Otter  Creek  that  descended  to  Lake  Champlain;  thence 
by  water  to  Montreal — about  235  miles  from  Keene. 

Early  in  the  spring  of  1755  the  Indians  again  began  their  ravages  in  this 
valley,  "So  free  from  these  raids  had  the  country  been  for  several  years  that 
people  had  pushed  out  into  the  wilderness  and  taken  up  lands  beyond  the 
protection  of  the  forts.  These  advanced  settlers,  some  of  them  miles  away 
from  any  fort  or  neighbors,  wtei'e  now  in  great  peril."  Several  families  in 
this  vicinity  among  them  Mr.  Peter  Hayward  an  early  settler  of  what  is  now 
Surry,  and  Ebenezer  Day  his  neighbor,  hastened  to  the  fort  in  Keene. 

On  the  30th  of  June  following,  an  attack  was  again  made  on  the  fort  at 


*Takeii  from  Keene  History — 1904.  The  small  stony  brook  where  the  Indian  took 
a  drink  was  on  the  farm  of  Harry  F.  Knight's  about  40  rods  east  of  his  buildings  where 
a  spring  of  good  water  comes  out  of  the  bank  and  flows  down  to  the  river.  This  farm 
is  on  the  east  side  of  Surry  west  road,  about  125  rods  north  of  Four  Corners  in  Keene, 
formerly    owned    by    Henry    Ellis,    Samuel    P.    and    Calvin    H.    Ellis. 


Indian  History  17 

Keene;   the  savages  were  beaten   off,  but   in  their   retreat  they  killed   many 
cattle,  burned  several  buildings  and  captured  Benjamin  Twitchell. 

In  the  meadows,  west  and  noi'th  of  Deacon  Wilder's  (later  the  Sun  Tavern), 
the  Indians  killed  several  oxen,  a  horse  and  colt — the  latter  was  cut  up  and 
the  best  pieces  of  meat  carried  off.  Mr.  Twitchell  was  conducted  up  the  river 
and  probably  spent  his  first  night  in  captivity  lashed  to  four  stakes  driven  in 
the  ground  on  the  meadow  in  the  south  part  of  Surry,  on  the  farm  formerly 
owned  by  Edmund  Woodward.  In  due  course  of  time  Mr.  Twitchell  was  ran- 
somed, later  being  put  on  board  a  vessel  for  Boston.  He  was  taken  sick,  set 
on  shore  and  died  in  a  few  days. 

"Peter  Hayward  was  well  known  to  the  Indians  as  a  dangerous  foe. 
In  later  times  of  quiet,  a  friendly  Indian  said  that  he  lay  at  one  time 
concealed  in  the  bushes  where  he  saw  Mr,  Hayward  and  his  dog  pass  by 
on  a  log.  He  aimed  his  gun  first  at  one  and  then  at  the  other,  but  dared 
not  fire,  knowing  that  if  he  killed  either  the  other  would  certainly  kill 
him.  It  is  remembered,  that,  after  the  Revolutionary  war,  an  Indian 
was  lurking  around  for  some  time,  and  made  inquiries  for  Col.  Smith, 
and  it  was  understood  at  the  time  that  Col.  Smith  killed  him,  as  his 
only  means  of  saving  his  own  life."  — Gilsum  History. 

This  Col.  Smith  was  none  other  than  Col.  Jonathan  Smith,  Jr.,  who  lived 
for  many  years  on  the  farm  where  George  Crehore  settled  in  1827,  now  (No. 
24)  owned  by  Merrill  D.  Carpenter.  More  than  sixty  years  ago  Mr.  Crehore 
related  an  incident,  which  doubtless  refers  to  the  above  Indian,  approximately 
as  follows : 

Soon  after  the  Revolutionary  war  an  Indian  was  discovered  concealed 
under  the  bridge  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  south  of  where  Edward  H.  Jos- 
lin  now  (1920)  lives.  It  was  understood  he  came  from  a  tribe  in  New 
York  state  to  avenge  some  deed  that  has  not  come  down  to  us.  One 
evening  soon  after  an  Indian — supposed  to  be  the  same  man — appeared 
at  Col.  Smith's  and  opening  the  barn  door  fired  a  shot  at  the  owner,  but 
missed  his  mark.  Knowing  his  life  was  in  danger  the  colonel  immedi- 
ately set  a  watch  and  shot  the  red-skin,  and  buried  his  body  near  the 
bank  of  Smith  brook,  a  few  rods  north  of  the  present  buildings,  (No.  24 
map). 

Mr.  Crehore  in  tearing  his  barn  down  to  rebuild  in  1854  (?)  discovered  a 
lead  bullet  imbedded  in  one  of  the  rafters  in  the  old  barn.  It  was  generally 
thought  at  the  time,  to  have  been  a  ball  shot  by  the  Indian. 

Another  tradition  states  that  not  many  years  after  Capt.  Thomas  Harvey 
settled  on  his  farm  (No.  177  map),  his  daughters  in  going  to  the  barn  early 
one  morning  discovered  three  or  four  Indians  just  leaving,  having  spent  the 
night  in  the  hay-loft.     They  were,  however,  peaceable  and  caused  no  trouble. 

*  In  October  1854,  Amherst  Hayward  of  Gilsum  collected  and  placed  in  a 
small  book  some  data  concerning  his  grandfather,  Peter  Hayward  of  Surry, 
a  portion  of  which  reads  as  follows: 


*This  "small  book"  is  now  the  property  of  Mrs.  Caroline  E.  (Hayward)  Smith,  th& 
wife  of  John  A.  Smith  of  Gilsum  and  a  grand-daughter  of  Amherst  Hayward,  and  came  into 
the  hands  of  the  compiler  of  this  work  after  the  mss.  had  been  written. 


18  History  of  Surry 

"Peter  Hayward  (my  grandfather)  was  the  first  man  that  began  a 
settlement  in  that  town  (Surry).  This  was  soon  after  the  close  of  the 
Fi-ench  and  Indian  War  and  before  the  Indians  had  done  coming  from 
Canada  to  plunder,  kill  and  burn  the  defenceless  settlers  of  New  Eng- 
land in  consequence  of  this,  the  families  of  Keene  and  vicinity  had  re- 
peatedly to  fly  to  the  fort  in  that  town  for  protection  from  these  cruel 
savages.  Thus  we  find  this  family  though  five  miles  off  were  hurried 
there  in  the  year  1755  by  an  alarm  of  Indians  in  the  neighborhood  who 
passed  through  Keene  and  killed  one  woman  near  the  gate  of  fort. 
Peter  Hayward  was  with  a  company  of  men  hunting  them  as  they  passed 
into  Swanzey,  but  the  Indians  escaped  by  them  in  the  woods  and  took 
one  man  prisoner  in  Keene  and  carried  him  to  Canada." 

A  more  full  account  of  Peter  Hayward  and  Ebenezer  Day's  (his  neighbor) 
escape  to  the  fort  is  given  in  the  History  of  Keene. 


CHAPTER  III 
EARLY    HISTORY   AND   CHARTER 

The  town  of  Surry  was  chartered  in  1769,  and  comprised  territory  severed 
from  the  towns  of  Gilsum  and  Westmoreland. 

Surry  received  about  one-third  of  her  territory  from  that  part  of  the  latter 
town  formerly  known  as  "Westmoreland  Leg,"  about  two-thirds  from  Gilsum; 
taking-  that  part  of  the  town  west  from  the  top  of  the  mountain. 

In  order  to  more  fully  appreciate  the  conditions  which  led  up  to  the  forma- 
tion of  this  town,  we  must  go  back  and  review  briefly  a  somewhat  earlier  his- 
tory of  this  region.  The  following  facts  afford  an  explanation,  without  which, 
much  that  is  of  interest  in  the  granting,  settlement  and  early  history  of  Surry 
will  fail  to  be  understood. 

In  1614  the  famous  Capt.  John  Smith — an  Englishman  and  founder  of  Vir- 
ginia— appeared  off  the  coast  of  New  Hampshire,  but  it  was  not  until  1623 
that  the  first  settlement  was  made  by  Edward  Holton  and  his  brother  William 
at  Cocheco,  now  Dover,  and  about  the  same  time  David  Thompson  settled  in 
the  vicinity  of  Portsmouth.  The  territory  on  which  these  early  settlers  lo- 
cated came  under  the  authority  granted  to  the  company  of  Laconia  by  the 
Council  of  Plymouth  in  England.  About  1622  Sir  Ferdinando  Gorges  and 
Capt.  John  Mason  were  high  in  office  in  this  council,  and  procured  a  grant  to 
"all  lands  situated  between  the  rivers  Merrimack  and  Sagadahock."  Some 
years  later  this  land  was  divided,  and  Gorges  had  the  region  east  of  the  Pis- 
cataqua  river,  while  that  west  of  said  river,  extending  back  some  sixty  miles, 
went  to  Mason;  the  former  received  the  name  of  Maine,  and  the  latter  was 
called  New  Hampshire,  after  the  County  of  Hampshire  in  England,  where 
Mason  formerly  resided. 

Capt.  Mason's  land  extended  southward  to  the  Msasachusetts  Bay  grant, 
or  to  a  point  three  English  miles  north  of  the  river  called  Monomack,  or 
Merrimack,  or  "to  the  northward  of  any  and  every  part  thereof."  He  claimed 
as  far  west  as  near  the  middle  of  Cheshire  county, — from  east  to  west.  An 
early  grant  describes  the  north  boundary  line  of  Massachusetts  as  beginning 
near  the  mouth  of  the  Merrimack  river  then  running  west  parallel  with  the 
river  to  the  South  sea,  or  Pacific  ocean. 

The  Merrimack  river  at  that  time  had  been  explored  only  a  few  miles  in- 
land, and  its  true  course  was  unknown.  The  English  authorities  supposed  the 
general  course  to  be  easterly  from  source  to  its  mouth.  Had  they  known  of 
the  angle  in  the  river  a  few  miles  west  of  the  present  city  of  Lowell,  Mass., 
where  its  course  turns  suddenly  almost  due  north,  it  would  have  saved  much 
discord  and  bitter  strife  in  later  years.  Moreover,  this  "angle"  in  the  river 
probably  affects,  indirectly,  the  granting  and  formation  of  every  town  in 
Cheshire  county,  as  will  subsequently  appear. 

From  1628  until  as  late  as  1691  grants  of  land  were  being  made  in  New 
England  which  clashed  with  former  grants  and  not  infrequently  covered  por- 
tions of  the  same  territory.     Evidently  the  king  and  his  advisers  cared  very 


20  History  of  Surry 

little  about  the  true  facts,  nor  did  they  make  any  effort,  at  least  in  some  in- 
stances, to  rectify  previous  errors. 

The  boundary  line  between  New  Hampshire  and  Massachusetts  was  for  a 
long  term  of  years  disputed,  and  in  fact  not  until  about  1740  was  it  finally 
settled,  and  then  in  favor  of  the  former  state.  § 

"The  New  Hampshire  grantees,  following  the  language  of  their  grant, 
claimed  that  the  'Southern  Boundary  of  Said  Province  should  begin  at 
the  end  three  miles  North  from  the  Middle  of  the  Channel  of  Merrimack 
River  where  it  turns  into  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  and  from  thence  should 
run  on  a  Straight  Line  West  up  into  the  Main  Land  until  it  meets  with 
His  Majesty's  other  government.'  That  line  starting  at  a  point  on  the 
shore  three  miles  north  of  the  mouth  of  the  Merrimack,  would  cross 
that  river  a  little  south  of  Reed's  Ferry,  pass  north  of  Mount  Monad- 
nock,  south  of  Keene,  and  strike  the  Connecticut  river  in  the  northern 
part  of  Chesterfield."  * 

It  would  appear  from  the  description  given  in  the  above  grant  that  New 
Hampshire's  claim  for  her  southern  boundary  line,  was  just  and  equitable,  yet 
to  this,  her  sister  state  to  the  south  would  not  acquiesce. 

An  early  grant  described  the  north  boundary  line  of  Massachusetts  as 
"beginning  at  the  Sea  three  English  miles  north  from  the  black  Rocks 
So  called  at  the  Mouth  of  the  River  Merrimack  as  it  emptied  it  Self  into 
the  Sea  Sixty  years  ago  thence  running  Parralel  with  the  River  as  far 
Northward  as  the  Crotch  or  parting  of  the  River,  thence  due  North  as 
far  as  a  certain  tree  Commonly  known  for  more  than  Seventy  Years 
past  by  name  of  INDICOT'S  TREE  Standing  three  English  miles 
Northward  of  said  Crotch  or  parting  of  Merrimack  River,  and  from 
thence  due  West  to  the  South  Sea!"  * 

Upon  the  aforesaid  description,  the  boundary  line  between  New  Hampshire 
and  Massachusetts  was  finally  established,  substantially  as  at  present.  "Upon 
that  description  the  Massachusetts  grantee  claimed  that  the  line  beginning 
three  miles  north  of  the  mouth  of  the  river  was  intended  to  run  along  that 
side  of  the  river,  at  the  same  distance  from  it,  to  the  source  of  the  main 
stream;  which  gave  them  a  strip  three  miles  wide  on  the  east  side,  as  well  as 
one  on  the  north  side  of  the  river."  * 

In  1652  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  appointed  a  commission 
to  survey  the  boundary  line  between  the  two  provinces.  That  commis- 
sion, consisting  of  Capt.  Simon  Willard  of  Concord,  Mass.,  and  Capt. 
Edward  Johnson,  with  guides  and  assistants,  accompanied  by  a  com- 
mittee of  the  general  court  and  escorted  by  a  squad  of  soldiers,  sur- 
veyed as  far  north  as  the  "Weares,"  near  the  outlet  of  Lake  Wini- 
pisiogee.  They  there  marked,  at  the  head  of  a  small  island  in  the  chan- 
nel, what  they  claimed  to  be  the  northeast  corner  of  Massachusetts,  by 
chiseling  on  the  face   of   a   rock — still  to  be   seen — the   initials   of  the 


§In   settling   the   diKpute   New   Hami)shire   was   given   a    tract   of   land   fifty   miles    in   length 
by    fourteen    in    breadth    more   than    she    had    claimed. 
*History  of  Keene. 


Early  History  and  Charter  21 

names  of  the  commissioners  and  the  full  name  of  "John  Endicott  Gov." 
t  A  line  running  "due  west"  from  that  point  strikes  the  Connecticut 
river  near  the  south  line  of  Lebanon,  N.  H.* 

The  grantees  and  provincial  authorities  of  Massachusetts  clung  tenaciously 
to  this  version  of  the  grant,  while  the  New  Hampshire  authorities  persistently- 
held  fast  to  the  wording  in  their  grant,  and  the  controversy  between  the  two 
provinces  continued  year  after  year  for  a  long  period  while  the  English  au- 
thorities refrained  from  acting.  The  inconsistency  of  the  king  in  making 
certain  grants  of  land  was  certainly  unfortunate.  In  this  instance  he  granted 
about  2000  square  miles  of  land  in  southern  N.  H.  to  Capt.  John  Mason,  and  a 
later  grant  gave  Massachusetts  her  authority  to  also  hold  the  same  territory. 

The  feeling  on  the  part  of  New  Hampshire,  at  length  became  so  in- 
tense for  ascertaining  definitely  her  territorial  jurisdiction,  that  it  was 
determined  in  1733,  to  present  a  petition  to  his  majesty,  George  II, 
praying  for  the  appointment  of  commissioners,  whose  duty  it  should  be 
to  ascertain  the  respective  boundaries  of  the  two  provinces.  Accord- 
ingly on  February  9,  1736  His  Majesty  and  Council,  directed  that  com- 
missioners should  be  appointed  to  mark  out  the  dividing  line  between 
the  Provinces  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay,  and  New  Hampshire,  giving 
Liberty  to  either  Party  therein  who  thought  themselves  aggrieved  to 
appeal  therefrom  to  his  Majestie  in  Council. 

J  In  establishing  the  boundary  line  it  was  the  opinion  "That  the 
Northern  Boundries  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  are  and  be  a  similar 
curve  line  pursuing  the  Course  of  Merrimac  River  at  three  Miles  Dis- 
tance from  the  North  side  thereof,  beginning  at  the  Atlantic  Ocean, 
and  ending  at  a  Point  due  North  of  a  Place,  in  the  plan  returned  by  said 
commissioners,  called  Pautucket  Falls,  and  a  straight  Line  Drawn  from 
thence  due  West  crossing  the  said  River  till  it  meets  with  His  Majesty's 
other  Government."  This  report  was  probably  submitted  in  1738;  both 
Provinces  appealed  to  His  Majesty  in  Council. 

The  final  decree  of  his  Majesty  fixing  the  boundary  line,  bears  date 
March  5th,  1740.** 

During  the  time  the  petition  of  New  Hampshire  for  the  appointment  of  a 
commission  was  pending  in  England,  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts,  in 
1735-36,  granted  over  thirty  townships  between  the  Merrimac  and  Connecti- 
cut rivers,  which,  afterward  fell  within  the  Province  of  New  Hampshire.  The 
haste  which  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  made,  in  granting  in  one  day 
about  thirty  townships,  in  this  section,  leaves  no  doubt  of  her  purpose  to  hold 
this  land  in  that  way,  as  a  large  majority  of  the  grantees  were  from  Massa- 


tThe  location  of  this  chiseled  rock — now  called  "ENDICOTT  ROCK" — was  unknown 
for  about  200  years.  Twenty-five  or  thirty  years  ago  the  State  of  New  Hampshire 
built  a   substantial   granite   covering  to  protect  this  historic  rock, — near  the  Weirs. 

*History   of    Keene. 

:j:A  point  three  miles  "due  North"  of  a  place  "called  Pautucket  Falls"  in  the 
Merrimack  River,  from  where  "a  straight  Line  Drawn  from  thence  due  West"  was  at  a 
point  where  a  "Pine  Tree",  called,  "INDICOT'S  TREE"  was  standing  "for  more  than 
Seventy  Years  past' '  in  the  south-east  corner  of  the  present  town  of  Pelham,  N.  H.  and 
also   in    the    north   line   of   Dracut,    Mass. 

**Abridged   from   History   of   Charlestown. 


22 


History  of  Surry 


chusetts.     Each  town  had  the  contents  of  six  miles  square.     Under  a  penalty 
of  forfeiture  of  their  right,  each  settler  was  required  to: 

Build  a  Dwelling  House  of  Eighteen  feet  Square  and  Seven  feet  Stud 
at  the  Least  on  their  Respective  Home  Lots  and  Fence  in  and  Break 
up  for  Plowing,  or  clear  and  Stock  with  English  Grass  Five  acres  of 
Land  within  Three  years  next  after  their  admittance  and  cause  their 
Respective  Lots  to  be  inhabited,  and  that  the  Grantees  do  within  the 
Space  of  three  years  from  the  time  of  their  being  Admitted  Build  and 
finish  a  Convenient  meeting  House  for  the  Public  Worship  of  God,  and 
settle  a  Learned  Orthodox  Minister.  Furthermore,  each  grantee  shall 
"give  Security  tr  the  Value  of  Forty  Pounds  to  Perform  the  Condi- 
tions," etc.** 

A  list  of  towns  in  this  vicinity  are  given  in  the  following  table,  present 
name,  date  of  incorporation,  first  called  name,  later  name,  etc.: 

Burnet,  Dec.  28,  1752. 

Newton,  or  New  Town,  Dec.  28,  1752. 

Number  4,  Dec.  31,  1736. 

Number  1,  Nov.  30,  1736. 

Boyle,  Dec.  30,  1752,  also  called  "Gillsom." 

Upper  Ashuelot,  Feb.  21    (?)    1734. 

Taken  from  Charlestown  and  Walpole. 

Addison,  Jan.  1,  1753. 

Taken  from  Keene,  Marlboro  and  Packers- 
field.* 

Monadnock  No.  7,  and  later  Limerick. 

Taken  from  Keene,  Gilsum,  Stoddard  and 
Packersfield. 

Taken  from  Gilsum  and  Westmoreland. 

Lower  Ashuelot,  1734. 

Number  3,  also  Great  Falls  and  Bellows- 
town. 

Number  2,  1738  (?),  also  called  Great 
Meadows. 


Acworth 

Sept. 

19, 

1766 

Alstead 

Aug. 

6, 

1763 

Charlestown 

July 

2, 

1753 

Chesterfield 

Feb. 

11, 

1752 

Gilsum 

July 

13, 

1763 

Keene 

Apr. 

11, 

1753 

Langdon 

Jan. 

11, 

1787 

Marlow 

Oct. 

7, 

1761 

Roxbury 

Dec. 

9, 

1812 

Stoddard 

Nov. 

4, 

1774 

Sullivan 

Sept. 

27, 

1787 

Surry 

Mar. 

9, 

1769 

Swanzey 

July 

2, 

1753 

Walpole 

Feb. 

13, 

1752 

Westmoreland 

Feb. 

12, 

1752 

Nov.  30,  1736  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  accepted  plots  of  four 
townships  laid  out  upon  the  east  side  of  Connecticut  river,  which  a  little  later 
were  numbered  to  correspond  to  the  several  forts.  Chesterfield  was  called  No. 
1,  Westmoreland  No.  2,  Walpole  No.  3  and  Charlestown  No.  4. 

The  following  were  appointed  to  call  the  first  meetings  of  the  proprietors  of 
the  above  four  townships,  viz:  Samuel  Chamberlain  of  Westford  for  No.  1, 
Nathaniel  Harris  for  No.  2,  John  Flint  for  No.  3,  and  Thomas  Wells  for  No. 
4.  A  map  of  this  region  made  prior  to  1760  shows  these  four  towns  in  form 
diff'ering  somewhat  from  the  so-called  "Blanchard  and  Langdon  map"  of  1761. 


'*Abridged  from  History  of  Charlestown. 

^The   name    of    Packersfield   was    changed    to    NELSON,    Oct.    1,    1814. 


Early  History  and  Charter  23 

In  the  spring  of  1741,  embarked  in  four  large  canoes,  the  first  settlers  of 
No.  2  (now  Westmoreland),  came  slowly  up  the  Connecticut  river  from  North- 
field,  Mass.  They  were,  Daniel  How,  Jethro  Wheeler,  Philip  Alexander  and 
Thomas  Cressen,  all  of  whom  settled  in  the  Connecticut  valley,  or  in  that 
vicinity.  The  old  Indian  trail  ran  up  the  river  to  No.  4  at  this  time,  but  to 
the  east,  it  still  was  an  almost  unbroken  wilderness  to  the  Merrimack  river 
valley. 

The  boundary  line  between  Massachusetts  Bay  and  the  Province  of  New 
Hampshire  having  been  established  in  1741,  township  No.  2  ^Vith  others,  fell 
under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  latter  territory.  Number  2,  or  Great  Meadows 
as  it  was  the'n  called,  was  intact  as  originally  surveyed.  The  first  settlers 
who,  on  account  of  the  Indian  trouble  had  left  the  town  in  1744-5  were  now 
(1750)  returning  and  they,  like  others,  found  it  necessary  to  secure  a  new 
charter  from  the  New  Hampshire  government  for  their  township. 

It  may  be  noted,  in  not  a  single  instance  was  the  original  name  of  a  town- 
ship in  this  vicinity  retained  in  granting  the  new  charters.  Many  of  the 
towns  were  named  in  honor  of  English  friends  of  the  Provincial  Governor, 
Benning  Wentworth,  Esq.,  of  Portsmouth,  N.  H.  In  the  case  of  Number  2,  the 
charter  was  granted  Feb.  12,  1752,  being  incorporated  under  the  name  of 
Westmoreland,  in  honor  of  Lord  Westmoreland,  an  intimate  friend  of  Gov. 
Wentworth.  The  petition  for  this  new  charter,  signed  by  Daniel  How,  Thomas 
Chamberlain    and   forty    others,    is    dated,    "January    30th,    1750."  J 

Owing  to  the  unsettled  condition  of  the  times,  the  depredations  of  the  In- 
dians, and  other  causes,  the  grantees  were  unable  to  fulfill  the  conditions  of 
the  charter,  and  it  was  extended  to  June  11,  1760.  In  the  meantime  the  town 
was  re-surveyed  and  a  plan  made  which  was  completed  March  18,  1752 — five 
weeks  after  the  town  was  incorporated.  This  survey  was  made  by  Caleb 
Willard  under  the  supervision  of  Josiah  Bellows  of  Walpole  and'Josiah  Wil- 
lard  of  Winchester — all  kindred  (so  said)  of  Col.  Benjamin  Bellows,  usually 
called,  the  founder  of  Walpole. 

This  new  "Bellows-Willard"  survey  discloses  a  plan  of  Westmoreland  nearly 
identical  to  that  of  the  present,  except  the  "Leg"  which  was  taken  off  in  the 
chartering  of  Surry — 1769 — and  instead  of  following,  it  was  doubtless  a  wide 
departure  from  the  original  survey  of  Number  2,  which  her  citizens  had  ex- 
pected. The  new  survey  was  not  only  of  great  moment  to  Westmoreland,  but 
also  a  contributive  factor  in  the  granting  and  formation  of  the  town  of  Surry, 

April  29,  1752,  the  following  petition  was  forwarded  to  the  Governor,  by 
the  inhabitants  of  Westmoreland,  but  without  avail: 

*  May  it  please  your  Excellency  with  the  Honourable  Counsil  to  Con- 
desend  to  hear  the  humble  Petition  of  the  Propriators  and  Inhabitents, 
of  the  Town  of  Westmoreland. 

The  Province  of  the  Massachusetts  Enjoying  the  land  on  this  part  of 
this  River  (Connecticut)  which  they  then  Claim'd  as  their  property,  con- 


tNone  of  the  grantees  under  charter  No.  2,  were  in  any  way  ever  connected  with 
the  territory  which  later  became  Surry.  In  fact,  the  east  line  of  No.  2  was  probably 
no  farther  east  at   that   time,   than   Mine  Hill. 

*From   Westmoreland,   in   D.   Hamilton   Hurd's    history   of   Cheshire   and    Sullivan    Counties 

— 1886. 


24  History  of  Surry 

sonant  with  which  supposed  Title  wee  petetioned  for  this  Township,  and 
being  granted,  wee  immediately  proceeded  to  a  Settlement  about  Four- 
teen years  since,  when  by  the  Running  the  Line  of  the  Provinces  wee 
fell  within  the  Limitts  of  your  Excellencys  Government,  and  by  Renewed 
Petition  made  to  Your  Excellency  for  a  Renewed  grant  of  the  Land,  wee 
have  been  favour'd  with  the  same,  but  as  wee  Suspect  not  according  to 
the  Intention  of  Your  Excellency  and  Honourable  Counsil,  for  Major 
Willard  and  Mr.  Bellows  hath  not  Conform'd  to  our  Original  Grant  from 
the  Massachusetts  nor  according  to  our  Intention,  which  was  to  abide  by 
our  Original  Lines,  which  are  at  present  destroy'd,  for  the  upper  line 
is  removed  nearly  Two  milles  lower  down  the  River  from  whence  our 
grant  first  took  place,  in  which  lay  our  Meadows  or  entervails,  with  our 
second  divisions  and  all  our  Improvements  on  them  whith  the  best  part 
of  our  land  and  extending  our  line  two  milles  lower  down  Includeing 
barren  and  Rockey  Hills,  no  ways  commoding  the  town,  and  then  stretch- 
ing the  Line  upon  the  north  side  of  the  Upper  ashawhelcok,  (now 
Keene)  which  leaves  us  the  barren  mountains  betwixt  us,  which  Lyeth 
so  far  distant  from  the  Body  of  the  Town,  that  will  never  Commode  the 
same,  and  these  our  Grievances  wee  fear  will  disable  this  town,  either 
for  the  maintaining  the  Gospel,  or  sufficient  Inhabitants  to  withstand 
the  Indians,  now  wee  prayeth  for  the  Restoration  and  Confirmation  of 
our  Original  Lines. 

We  would  advertise  your  Excellency  and  the  Honble  Counsil  that 
when  Mr.  Bellows  went  with  a  Petetion  for  Nobr  3  Called  walpole,  he 
enter'd  a  number  of  names  leaving  out  the  names  of  the  Old  propriaty 
of  that  Town,  and  particularly  them  that  had  Cleard  part  of  their 
land,  and  built  also,  Off'ering  them  but  Eaqual  Encouragement  with 
others  never  labouring  there,  and  depriving  them  of  their  labour  with- 
out satisfaction  for  the  Same,  and  he  went  in  with  his  Petition  which 
being  granted  him,  he  is  suppos'd  to  have  purchas'd  of  them  whose 
names  were  inserted  for  a  Small  Consideration,  and  now  will  give  but 
the  small  Encouragement  of  fifty  Acres  of  Upland  to  each  Settler, 
without  any  Entervail,  and  this  Prejudices  people  against  settleing 
there,  having  before  interrupted  the  former  propriarty  in  their  Settleing 
and  now  discouraging  them  after  great  expence,  which  wee  fear  will  be 
Very  detrimental  to  the  Sittleing  of  his  and  our  Town — 

Neither  petetion  we  for  the  additional  grant  of  any  other  land  par- 
ticularly the  farm  formerly  granted  to  Lieutenant  Govr  Taylor  but  only 
for  the  bair  Lines  which  wee  Enjoyd  until  the  late  Lines  were  Ran  by 
the  fore  mention  Gentlemen — 

"We  would  further  Certifie  Your  Excelency  and  the  Honble  Counsil 
that  we  ware  the  first  petetioners  for  land  on  this  River,  and  have  suf- 
fer'd  the  greatest  Losses  from  the  enemy  by  fire  and  Sword,  and  have 
hitherto  stood  the  Heat  and  burthen  of  the  day,  and  at  last  to  be  un- 
done without  the  knowledge  of  Your  Excellency  together  with  the  honble 
Counsil,  who  if  truly  knowing  and  fully  understanding  the  same,  wee 
hope  from  your  now  Goodness  and  Clemency  will  redress  these  our  pres- 
ent difficulties  which  wee  groan  under  and  which  is  submitted  By  Your 


Early  History  and  Charter  25 

Excellencys  humble   Petetioners,  who  as   in  duty  bound  will  ever  Con- 
tinue to  pray  for  you. — 

"In  the  name   and  by  the]       DANIEL  HOW, 
Consent    of    the    Inhabitants  i 
&  proprietors  on  the   Spot,     |       JETHRO      WHEELER. 

"Benjamin  Aldridg-e  Joshua  Chamberlin 

Amos  Davis  Jedediah  Chamberlin 

Thomas  Chamberlin  Caleb  How 

Daniel  How  Junr  Samuel  How 

John  Warner  Edward  How 

Jethro  Wheeler  Junr  Abner  How 

Herrodiam  Wheeler  Simeon  Alexander 

Isaac  Chamberlain  Phillip  Alexander 

P.  S.  Mr.  Bellows  hath  Layd  out  his  Town  about  Nine  Milles  long 
on  the  River  but  four  milles  wide  at  the  Lower  end,  and  but  three  milles 
wide  at  the  upper  end — 

And  the  four  milles  wide,  &  Two  Milles  in  length  is  run  down  in  to 
our  town  that  is  the  Occasion  of  our  Grief — 

"Westmoreland,  April  the  29th,  1752." 

The  injustice  which  led  to  this  petition  was  clearly  set  forth  and  their 
prayer  should  have  been  granted,  yet  their  appeal  was  in  vain,  owing  doubt- 
less to  the  friendship  between  Col.  Bellows  and  Gov.  Wentworth.  The  pro- 
prietors, grieved  over  the  new  boundary  lines,  cared  little  for  that  part  of 
Westmoreland,  called  the  "Leg,"  which  a  few  years  later  was  severed  in  the 
granting  of  Surry.  In  fact,  so  far  as  known,  no  objection  whatever  was  made 
when  the  latter  town  was  incorporated.  They,  however,  had  all  the  meadow 
land  measured  during  the  summer  of  1752  at  which  time  they,  "computed  one 
acre  on  the  'Great  River'  (Connecticut),  to  be  equal  to  two  on  the  Ashuelot 
river,"  with  the  "barren  land  and  mountains  betwixt." 

In  taking  up  that  part  of  Surry  which  was  severed  from  the  town  of  Gilsum 
we  must  first  revert  to  the  formation  of  the  township  originally  called  Boyle. 

A  petition  was  drawn  up  by  William  Lawrence,  Thomas  Read,  and  fifty-six 
others  at  Groton,  Mass.,  on  March  16,  1752,  and  presented  to  Gov.  Benning 
Wentworth  and  his  Council,  praying  for  a  charter  of  a  tract  of  land  yet  un- 
granted  "which  Lyes  Northerly  of  the  Upper  Ashuelot  (Keene)  and  West- 
moreland and  Easterly  from  Walepool  Adjoyning  to  those  towns,  and  extend 
Eastward  to  make  the  Contints  of  Six  miles  Square."  The  Council  unani- 
mously advised  the  governor  to  make  the  grant,  and  Boyle  was  the  name 
given.  The  town,  however,  was  not  settled  under  this  charter,  and  no  record 
has  been  found  of  any  meeting  of  the  grantees  having  been  held  and  none  of 
them  settled  in  this  vicinity,  so  far  as  can  be  ascertained,  and  with  the  single 
exception  of  Theodore  Atkinson,  the  colony  secretary,  they  all  disappear  from 
the  records  of  the  town  with  this  document.  The  depredations  of  the  Indians 
was  the  principal  reason  for  the  failure  of  the  proprietors  to  fulfill  the  con- 
ditions of  the  charter,  and  finally  it  was  forfeited. 


26  History  of  Surry 

In  1760,  Josiah  Kilburn  a  wealthy  manufacturer  of  Glastonbury,  (yonn., 
hearing  the  township  of  Boyle  was  for  sale,  sent  up  men  to  look  over  the 
ground.  When  they  got  here,  they  were  taken  in  hand  by  agents  of  Col.  Ben- 
jamin Bellows,  who  first  bewildered  them  by  wandering  in  the  woods,  and  then 
kept  them  traveling  for  a  day  or  two  in  Surry  meadows.  Finally  being  con- 
vinced they  had  been  taken  "over  a  large  tract  of  country,  they  returned  and 
reported  that  it  was  a  very  level  town,  without  a  stone  large  enough  to  throw 
at  a  bird." 

Encouraged  by  this  report,  Mr.  Kilburn  joined  with  Samuel  Gilbert  and 
others  in  the  purchase  of  18,000  acres.  May  1,  1761,  from  Benjamin  Bellows  of 
Walpole.  Mr.  Bellows  on  March  24,  1761,  had  purchased  of  Rebecca  Blanch- 
ard,  widow  of  Joseph  Blanchard  of  Dunstable,  Mass.,  twenty-six  original 
rights  in  Boyle  for  £67,  10s  sterling  money,  and  on  March  28,  four  days  later, 
he  purchased  twenty-seven  rights  of  Theodore  Atkinson  for  which  he  paid 
£60,  15s.  Some  portion  of  this  18,000  acres  of  land  was  situated  in  that  part 
of  Boyle  which  later  became  Surry,  but  to  what  extent  has  not  been  ascer- 
tained. The  town  of  Boyle  was  rechartered  July  13,  1763  and  was  named 
Gilsum. 

The  decade  from  1760  to  1770  saw  a  large  number  emigrate  hither  from 
Massachusetts  and  Connecticut.  Those  zealous  hardy  pioneers  found  their 
land  not  all  level,  but  much  was  too  rocky,  hilly  and  mountainous  for  tillage, 
and  covered  with  a  dense  forest  of  massive  trees. 

With  a  mountain  on  the  east  and  high  hills  to  the  north  and  west,  we  can 
readily  see  how  both  in  Gilsum  and  Westmoreland  they  felt  their  isolation; 
they  were  shut  in  from  without  and  shut  out  from  within,  and  scarcely  a  year 
passed  after  Gilsum  received  her  charter  that  some  mention  was  not  made  in 
town  meeting  about  setting  off  that  part  of  the  town  west  of  the  mountain. 
The  settlers  of  Westmoreland  Leg  were  similarly  isolated  from  the  activities 
of  their  township,  and  on  March  12,  1766  Westmoreland  "Voted  to  set  off  the 
people  to  Gilsum  that  Belong  to  the  North  East  corner  of  this  Town  from 
Walpole  Corner  to  Keen  Line."  This  seems  to  have  hastened  the  movement 
on  the  part  of  Gilsum  people,  as  among  the  papers  sent  to  the  provincial  as- 
sembly with  the  petition  for  the  new  town  are  the  following: 

*  Province  of  New  Hampshire. 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Gilsum  meet  at  the 
House  of  Mr.  Jonathan  Smiths  in  sd  Town  on  Tuesday  ye  26  of  August 
1766  being  meet  and  duly  formed  Mr.  Joseph  Spensor  Being  chose  Mod- 
erator to  Govern  Sd  Meetting  Sd  Inhabitants  Voted  to  seet  off  the  west 

End  of  Sd  Towne  as  farr  East  as  the  Mountain  Range 

a  True  Coppey  of  the  Vote  as  it  was  then  past 

Test  pr.  me 
Gilsum  Septm  ye  1st  1766.  Obadiah  Willcox, 

Town  Clack 
The  following  is  the  petition  for  the  new  town: 

*  To  His  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq.  Captain  General,  Governour 


''Taken    from    History    of    Gilsum. 


Early  History  and  Charter  27 

&c   in    and   over   his    Majestys    Province    of   New    Hampshire- The 

Honble  His  Majesty's  Council  and  House  of  Representatives  for  said 
Province — ■ 

The  Petition  of  the  Subscribers,  Inhabitants  of  the  Westerly  Part  of 
the  Township  of  Gilsum  and  the  Northeasterly  Part  of  the  Township  of 
Westmoreland  in  said  Province  Humby  Sheweth : 

That  said  Westerly  part  of  Gilsum  being  seperated  from  the  Easterly 
Part  of  the  Same  Township  by  a  long  and  impassable  Mountain  almost 
thro  the  Township  of  said  Gilsum  Dividing  the  Same  so  as  to  leave 
about  one  third  part  of  the  Lands  of  the  Township  of  said  Gilsum  on 
the  Westerly  side  of  said  Mountain,  and  no  convenient  Communication 
can  be  had  with  the  Easterly  Part  of  said  Township,  so  very  necessary 
for  the  well  Regulating  and  management  of  Town  affairs;  and  the 
Westerly  part  of  said  Gilsum  being  too  Small  in  Contents  of  Land  for  a 
Seperate  and  Distinct  Town,  Parish  or  Precinct,  And  whereas  the 
Northeasterly  part  of  said  Westmoreland  being  that  part  of  said  Town 
Called  Westmoreland  Leg  Lying  at  a  Great  Distance  from  and  very 
difficult  Passage  to  the  main  Body  of  ye  Town  and  Inhabitants  of  said 
Westmoreland  and  also  paying  Large  Taxes  for  the  Support  of  the  Min- 
istry &  other  Town  Charges,  without  being  able  to  Receive  any  Benefit 
or  advantage  therefrom  And  being  adjoining  to  and  conveniently  Situate 
to  be  joined  and  incorporated  with  said  Westerly  part  of  Gilsum  there- 
with to  make  one  Seperate  and  Distinct  Town  &c. 

Now  your  Petitioners  humbly  pray  your  Excellency  and  Honour  that 
Said  Westerly  part  of  Gilsum  and  Northeasterly  part  of  Westmoreland: 
(viz  beginning  at  the  Southeast  corner  of  Walpole  thence  running 
Southerly  on  a  Straight  Line  to  the  North  West  corner  of  Keene  thence 
running  Easterly  on  the  Line  of  said  Keene  to  the  Southeast  corner  of 
Westmoreland  Leg  so  called  and  continuing  the  same  Line  Eighty  Rods 
East  of  Sd  (last  mention'd)  corner  thence  running  North  two  Hundred 
and  Sixty  Rods,  thence  East  Eighty  Rods,  thence  on  a  North  Line  to 
the  North  Line  of  said  Township  of  Gilsum  thence  West  on  the  Line  of 
Said  Gilsum  to  the  Northwest  Corner  of  the  Same  thence  South  on  the 
Line  between  said  Gilsum  &  Walpole  to  the  first  mentioned  Bounds 
that  part  of  said  Westmoreland  &  Gilsum  included  in  the  aforemen- 
tioned Lines,  may  be  taken  off  from  ye  aforesaid  Towns  of  Westmore- 
land &  Gilsum,  and  be  Erected  made  and  Incorporated  into  one  Sep- 
erate &  Destinct  Town,  Corporation  &  Body  Politick  with  all  the  Pow- 
ers, Priviledges  and  immunities  that  any  town  hath  or  by  Law  ought  to 
have  in  said  Province  or  otherways  as  to  your  Excellency  &  Honours 
seam  fit  and  as  in  Duty  bound  shall  Ever  pray 

Dated  Gilsum  July  4th  A.  D.  1768. 

Obadiah   Willcox  Eliphalet  Darte  Beniaman  Wheetney 

Samuel  Hall  John  Marvin  Benjamin  Whitney 

Job  Gleason  Abel   Allen  William  Barns — Barron 

Joseph  Spencer  Joshua  Fuller  Charles  Rice 

Moses   D.   Field  Joseph   Mack  Nathaniel  Darte 


28  History  of  Surry 

Thomas   Smith  Jonathan    Pareish  Jonathan  Smith 

Ichabod  Smith  Peter  Hayward  Jonathan  Smith,  Jr. 

Woolston    Brockway 

Of  these  petitioners  the  following  were  of  Westmoreland  Leg,  the  others 
were  of  Gilsum:  Samuel  Hall,  Peter  Hayward,  Benjamin  Whitney,  William 
Barron,  Charles  Rice,  Nathaniel  Darte. 

Thomas  Harvey  and  some  others  were  at  that  time  living  in  town,  but  for 
some  reason  did  not  sign  the  petition. 

This  petition  was  granted,  and  March  9,  1769  the  following  charter  was 
issued: 

THE  CHARTER  OF  SURRY 

*  "Anno  Regni  Regis  Georgii  Tei'tii  Magnee  Britannia  Francia  &  Hibernia 
nono 

"An  act  for  erecting  part  of  the  Township  of  Gilsum  and  part  of  the 
L.  S.  Township    of    Westmoreland    in   to   a   New   Township    by   the   name   of 
Surry. 

Whereas  the  westerly  part  of  the  Township  of  Gilsome  is  Separated 
from  the  easterly  part  of  said  Township  by  a  long  impasable  mountain 
almost  threw  the  Township  dividing  the  same  so  as  leaves  about  one 
third  part  of  the  land  thereof  on  the  westerly  side  of  said  mountain  and 
no  convenient  communication  can  be  had — and  whereas  the  North  east- 
erly part  of  Westmoreland  being  that  part  of  said  Township  called 
Westmoreland  leg  Lying  at  a  Grate  Distance  from  the  mane  part  of  the 
Settlements  and  the  passage  from  one  part  to  the  other  Being  Very 
Difficult  and  Being  Very  convenient  to  be  Joyned  to  and  incorporated 
With  Said  Westerly  part  of  Gilsum  would  be  Sufficient  for  one  Town 
Distinct  from  the  Towns:  from  whence  they  niay  be  So  Severed  all 
which  having  been  Represented  by  a  Petetion  of  the  aforesaid  part  of 
Gilsum  and  the  tracts  being  conceeded  to  by  the  Votes  of  the  inhabitants 
of  Boath  Said  Townships  and  a  Plan  being  agreed  on  for  the  Bounds  of 
the  New  proposed  Township  and  it  also  Appearing  to  be  of  Publick 
Servis  Tending  to  advance  the  Settlements  in  those  parts  .  .  .  There- 
fore  

Be  it  inacted  by  the  Govr.  Council  &  Assembly  that  there  be  and  here- 
by is  a  New  Township  Erected  Containing  the  parts  of  the  Townships 
aforesaid  and  Bounded  as  follows  (Viz)  :  Beginning  at  the  Southeast 
Corner  of  Walpole  and  Running  West  ten  D'g  North  on  Walpole  Line 
twenty  eight  Chanes  and  fifty  Links  to  a  piller  of  Stones  on  Walpole 
Line,  thence  South  ten  D'grees  West  two  miles  and  forty  seven  Chanes 
to  a  Piller  of  Stones  on  the  Line  of  Keene,  thence  East  five  D'r  South 
(North  ?)  on  Said  Line  of  Keene  three  miles  and  Eighteen  Chanes  to 
a  hemlock  tree  &  a  heap  of  Stones,  thence  North  four  miles  and  Sixty 
four  Chanes  to  a  Piller  of  Stones  to  the  Line  between  Gilsum  and  Al- 


*Taken    from    the    Surry    town    Records. 


Early  History  and  Charter  29 

stead,  then  Runs  West  five  Degrs  North  on  Alstead  Line  two  miles  & 
twenty  three  Chanes  to  a  piller  of  Stons  on  the  Line  of  Walpole,  thence 
South  two  miles  and  Seventy  Chanes  on  Said  Walpole  Line  to  the  place 

where  it  Begins 

and  the  inhabitants  of  Said  Tracts  of  Land  and  their  Successors  are 
hereby  incorporated  into  a  town  by  the  Name  of  SURRY  to  have  Suc- 
cession forever  and  enfranchised  with  all  the  Privileges,  Rights  and 
communities  which  other  Town  in  this  Province  by  Law  hold  and  in  joy 

to  hold  the  Said  inhabitants  and  their  Successors  forever 

and  Peter  Hayward  is  hereby  authorised  to  Call  a  meeting  of  Said  in- 
habitants to  chuse  all  Necessary  and  Customary  town  officers,  Giving 

fourteen  Days  Notis  of  the  time,  place  and  Define  of  Such  Meeting 

and  Every  other  Meeting  which  Shall  be  Annually  held  for  that  Pur- 
pose Shall  be  on  the  Last  Tuesday  of  March. 

Province  of  New  Hampshire 

in  the  House  of  Representatives  March  ye  2d  1769 
The  foregoing  Bill  having  been  three  times  Read 
Voted  that  it  pass  to  be  inacted 

P.  Oilman       Speaker 

In  Council  March  9th  1769 

This  Bill  was  Read  a  third  time  and  Passed  to  be  inacted 

T.  Atkinson  Jnr  Secretary 
Assented  to  by  J.  Wintworth 

A  Coppy  Examined         T  Atkinson  Jnr  Secretary." 

The  boundary  lines  of  the  town  of  Surry,  as  granted,  were  as  described  in 
the  charter  and  not  according  to  the  petition;  thereafter  Gilsum  included  only 
what  lies  east  of  the  division  between  the  first  and  second  ranges  of  hundred- 
acre  lots.  Owing  to  the  variation  of  the  magnetic  needle  or  other  cause,  the 
boundary  lines  of  Surry  have  since  been  slightly  altered,  at  least,  in  some 
places.  We  regret  to  find  such  a  wide  variation  in  the  length  of  the  lines  be- 
tween this  and  adjoining  towns,  in  the  several  surveys. 

The  following  item  found  in  the  Provincial  Records  at  Concord,  N.  H.,  gives 
the  date,  place  and  proprietor  of  the  first  tavern  in  that  part  of  Westmore- 
land, now  Surry: 

Westmoreland,  January  28,  1765. 

We  the  subscribers  do  in  behalf  of  the  town  of  Westmoreland  in  the 
Province  of  New  Hampshire  and  on  the  Request  of  many  others  who  travel 
this  way  do  recommend  and  Appoint  Peter  Hayward  to  be  Tavern  Keeper  in 
sd  town. 

Samuel  Minot  '^  Selectmen 

i  °^ 

Edward  How  I        Westmoreland. 


CHAPTER  IV 

PROPRIETORS'    RECORDS,    BOUNDARY    LINES,    LOTS    AND 

RANGES,   THE   NEW    HAMPSHIRE   GRANTS 

The  original  Proprietors'  record  book  of  Gilsum  and  Surry  in  the  hands  of 
the  town  clerk  of  Surry,  is  in  a  badly  worn  and  dilapidated  condition.  A  plan 
of  the  town  of  Boyle  is  shown  in  this  book,  similar  to  the  plan  of  Gilsum  as 
shown  on  page  21  in  the  history  of  Gilsum.  The  following  records  have  been 
taken  from  that  book: 

August  14,  1761,  Benjamin  Bellows  of  Walpole  issued  a  warrant  for 
the  first  proprietors  meeting,  thus : 

"PROVINCE  of  NEW -HAMPSHIRE. 

To  Mr  Clement  Sumner,  one  of  the  Proprietors  of  the  Township  of 
BOYLE  in  said  Province;     GREETING 

WHEREAS  Application  hath  been  made  to  me  the  Subscriber,  one  of 
his  Majesty's  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  Province  aforesaid  by  the 
Owners  of  more  than  a  Sixteenth  Part  of  the  common  and  undivided 
Lands  in  the  Township  of  BOYLE,  in  said  Province,  for  the  calling  a 
Meeting  of  the  Proprietors  aforesaid;  and  that  the  same  maybe  held  at 
the  House  of  Mr.  Peter  Haywood  (Hay ward),  of  Westmoreland,  on  the 
Sixteenth  of  October  next,  at  Ton  of  the  Clock  in  the  forenoon;  and  that 
the  following  Articles  might  be  inserted  in  the  Warning,  as 

1st     To  chuse  a  Moderator. 

2d      To  chuse  a  Proprietors  Clerk. 

3d      To  chuse  a  Collector  to  collect  &  gather  in  the  Rates  &  Taxes; 

and  to  chuse  a  Proprietors  Treasurer. 

4th    To  see  if  the  Proprietors  *   *   *  the  Lotts  as  they  are  laid  out. 

5th    To  see  if  the  Proprietors  *   *   *  ee   to   raise   any   Sum   or    Sums 

of  Money,  to  be  lodged  in  the  hands  of  the  Treasurer,  to  pay 

Town  Charges,  or  any  other  public  matter  that  shall  be  agreed 

on. 

6th    To  chuse  a  Committee  *   *   *  to  transact  any  Affairs  that  shall 

be  needed. 
7th    To  chuse   Assessors,  and  to  act  any   Matter  or   Thing  to   bring 
forward  settlement    (?)    of  said  Town. 
Do  in  Consequence  of  such  Application  made  to  me, 
Notify  and  Warn  the  Proprietors  aforesaid,  to  meet  at  the  House  and 
Place  above  mentioned;  then  and  there,  when  met,  and  duly  formed,  to 
act  on  the  several  Articles  above  mentioned,  as  the  Occasion  and  Busi- 
ness of  the  Meeting  call  for;    and  see  that  you  the  aforesaid  Clement 
Sunner  have  this  my  Warrant  or  Notification   in  the   New   Hampshire 
News  Papers,  three  Weeks  successively,  before  the  Day  of  holding  said 


Proprietor's  Records  31 

meeting,  being  the  most  likely  Place  to  give  the  Proprietors  Notice 
thereof,  and  that  you  make  Return  of  your  Doings  herein  on  the  Day 
aforesaid. 

Given  under  my  Hand  and  Seal  this  14th  Day  of  August,  A.  D.  One 
Thousand  Seven  Hundred  sixty  one,  and  in  the  first  year  of  his  Majes- 
ty's Reign. 

Copia  Vera,  Clement  Sumner.  BENJAMN  BELLOWS, 

Justice  of  Peace." 

No  record  of  this  meeting  can  be  found. 

The  second  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  was  held  in  Hebron,  Conn. 

At  a  Town  meeting  of  Boyle  holden  in  Hebron  on  March  the  9th  1762; 
the  following  Persons  were  chosen,  or  voted  for  the  present  Year  into 

the  public  Offices  of  the  said  Town  of   Boyle.  Josiah   Killburn, 

Moderator  of  Proprietor's  Meeting. 
Clement  Sumner   (of  Kane — Keene)   Town  Clerk. 

John  Sterling  Josiah  Killburn  Joseph  Spencer,  select  Men.     Josiah  Kill- 
burn  Thomas  Sumner  Abner  Mack,  Assessors. 
Joseph  Mack,  Collector.  Abner  Mack,  Treasurer. 

Test  Joshua  Dart  Clk  of  sd  Meeting 

Copia  Vera  Pr  Clement   Sumner  Proprietor's   Clerk  &c. 

The  third  Proprietors  meeting  was  held  at  Peter  Hay  ward's  house. 

The  Proceedings  &  Votes  of  a  legal  Meeting  of  the  Proprietors  of  the 
Town  of  Boyle,  held  at  the  House  of  Mr  Peter  Hayward  in  Westmore- 
land; September  16th  1762. 

lest  Voted,  Mr  Thomas  Pitkins  Moderator  to  govern  said  Meeting. — 

2d      Voted;   Clement   Sumner   Proprietor's   Clerk. 

3d      Voted;   Joseph  Mack,  Collector. 

4th    Voted;   Abner  Mack,  Treasurer. 

5th    Voted;   Not  to  draw  as  the  Lotts  are  already  laid  out. 

6th  Voted;  To  Size  the  Land  of  the  Town  of  Boyle,  in  Order  for  a 
Draught. — 

7th  Voted;  Joseph  Mack,  Seth  Haze  and  Abner  Mack  for  a  Com- 
mittee to  size  said  Land,  and  make  a  Report  thereof  to  the 
Meeting. 

8th.  Voted;  To  Raise  the  Sum  of  one  Pound  three  Shillings  Lawful 
Money,  on  each  Right  to  be  paid  to  the  Proprietor's  Treasurer, 
to  defray  the  Charges  of  the  Township  of  Boyle,  that  have 
arisen  or  shall  hereafter  arise. 

9th    Voted;   Clement    Sumner  Joseph   Mack   and    Seth   Haize   a   Com- 
mittee to  transact  any  affair  that  shall  be  needed. 
•10th    Voted;   To  adjourn  the  meeting  till  Wednesday  the  23d  instant. 
And   the    said    Meeting    is    accordingly    adjourned    and    ap- 
pointed to  sit  at  the  House  of  Mr  Ephraim  Dormant  at  the 
town  of  Kane  (Keene)  on  the  sd  Day 
sign'd  by  Order. 

P.  Clement  Sumner  Pro:   Clerk. 


32  History  of  Surry 

The  fourth  Proprietors  meeting  was  held  in  Keene  as  noted. 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  Proprietors  of  the  Town  of  Boyle,  met,  and  as- 
sembled, according  to  Adjournment:  Septemr  23d  1762  at  the  House 
of  Mr  Ephraim  Dormant  in  the  Town  of  Keen;  the  following  Votes 
were  pased. 

1st     Voted;   To  draw  the  Lotts  of  the  Town  of  Boyle  as  they  are  now 

laid  out  and  sized. 
2d      Voted;  Joseph  Spensor,  Joseph  Mack  and  Seth  Haize  to  be  the 
select  Men  of  the  said  Town  of  Boyle. 
And  further  Voted; 

That  the  above  Joseph  Spensor,  Joseph  Mack  and  Seth  Haize 
should  be  Assessors  of  the  Township :  and,  that  for  the  future 
upon  an  Application  made  by  Seven  or  more  of  the  Proprie- 
tors, to  their  Clerk  for  the  calling  a  Proprietor's  Meeting,  he, 
the  said  Clerk,  shall  set  a  Notification  fourteen  Days  before 
the  Meeting,  setting  fourth  the  articles  to  be  transacted  in  the 
sd  Meeting;  which  shall  be  Deem'd  legal  Warning,  till  the 
Proprietors  shall  repeal  this  vote. 

The  above  are  a  true   Entry  of  the  Votes 
passed  at  the  meeting  within  described. 
Test  Thos   Pitkins  moderator. 

Sign'd  by  Order, 

P  Clement  Sumner  Pro:   Clerk. 

So  far  as  known  no  other  Proprietors  meetings  were  held  under  the  charter 
of  Boyle.  The  town  was  rechartered  July  13,  1763,  and  by  taking  the  first 
syllable  in  the  surname  of  two  of  the  leading  proprietors,  Gilbert  and  Sumner, 
we  have  a  new  and  unique  name  for  the  new  town,  viz.,  GIL-SUM. 

The  fifth  Proprietors  meeting  was  held,  at  Hebron,  Conn.,  thus: 

At  a  legal  meeting  of  The  Proprietors  of  the  Town  of  Boyle   (but  now 
Gilsum)   in  the  Province  of  New  Hampshire.     Holden  at  the  House  of 
Capt.  Ichabod  Phelps  in  Hebron,  in  the  County  of  Hartford  and  Colony 
of  Connecticut,  on  Tusday  the  16  August  1763. 
Being  met  and  duly  formed. 

1.  Chose  Thos  Pitkin,  Jr.,  moderator  of  Sd  meeting. 

2.  Chose  Clement  Sumner  Proprietors  Clerk. 

3.  Chose  Thos  Sumner,  Clark  for  Sd  meeting  to  transmit  the  votes  to 

Sd  Clement  Sumner. 

4.  Chose   Samuel  Gilbert,  Esq.     Dr.  Wm   Sumner  &  Thos   Pitkin  Jr. 

Cessors,  for  Sd  Propriety. 

5.  Chose  Samuel  Gilbert  Treasurer. 

6.  Chose  Thos  Sumner,  &  Joshua  Dart  Collectors. 

7.  Voted  to  raise  a  Rate  of  one  pound  thirteen  Shillings  &  Sixpense 

lawful  money  of  the  Bay  on  each  Right  to  defray  the  Charges  of 
Sd  Township  that  have  already  arisen  and  Shall  arise. 

8.  Voted  that  Sd  money  Shall  be  paid  to  the  proprietors  Treasurer  in 

the  Space  of  Six  weeks  from  the  Dates  hereof. 


Proprietor's  Records  33 

9.     Chose  Samuel  Gilbert  Thomas  Pitkin  Joshua  Dart  a  Committee  to 
ajust  the  accounts  of  Sd  propriety. 

10.  Voted  to   draw  the   money   out   of   the   treasury   by  themselves   or 

their  order  to  Defray  Sd  Charges. 

11.  Voted  to  adjurn  Sd  meeting  "to  the  House  of  mr  Benjn  Buel  in- 

holder    in    Sd    Hebron    &c — till   the    30    day    of    August    Instent 
1763  at  one  of  the  Clock  in  the  afternoon. 

The  sixth  Proprietors  meeting  was  held,  Aug.  30,  1763: 

*  At  the  adjourned  meeting  held  at  the  inn  of  mr  Benj.  Buel  at  He- 
bron, Conn.,  Thomas  Pitkin  was  elected  moderator  «fe  Clement  Sumner 
Prop.  Clerk.  The  subject  of  dividing  the  land  was  the  principal  topic. 
Joseph  Mack,  Clement  Sumner  and  Ichabod  Fisher,  were  chosen  a  com- 
mittee to  rectify  a  mistake  in  the  "Ranging  Table,"  as  it  appears  "Some 
Rights  have  drawn  more  &  Some  less  than  their  real  proportion."  Each 
share  was  to  consist  of  250  acres,  and  Jonathan  Smith,  Samuel  Gilbert, 
Thomas  Sumner,  Thomas  Pitkin  and  Benjamin  Sumner  were  a  com- 
mittee '-'to  lay  out  the  Common  &  undivided  land."  Thomas  Pitkins 
and  Jonathan  Smith  were  chosen  "to  Settle  affairs  with  major  Bellows." 
From  the  records  and  deeds  it  becomes  vei-y  evident  that  land  spec- 
ulation was  extensively  carried  on.  Many  prominent  names,  were  of 
men  who  had  no  intention  of  settling  on  their  lands,  but  bought  only  to 
sell  again.  Some,  like  Benjamin  Bellows,  owned  whole  townships.  The 
Gilberts  and  Sumners  were  not  bona  fide  settlers,  but  simply  land  spec- 
ulators. Capt.  Gilbert,  one  for  whom  the  town  was  named,  probably 
never  came  here  at  all;  yet  for  a  year  or  two,  took  the  management  of 
affairs,  almost  entirely  into  his  own  hands,  and  that  the  actual  settlers 
were  far  from  satisfied  is  plain  from  their  records. 

At  this  meeting  it  was  also. 

Voted,  that  the  Proprietors'  Clerk  Shall  have  power  to  Call  Proprie- 
tors meetings  upon  the  applycation  of  three  or  more  of  the  Proprietors, 
by  Setting  up  Notifications,  one  at  Woolston  Brockways  at  Gilsum  and 
the  other  at  Capt.  Wymans  in  Keene  14  days  before  Sd  meeting.  Set- 
ting forth  in  Sd  warrant  the  time,  place  &  Business  of  Sd  meeting. 

The  sei^enth  Proprietors  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Jonathan  Smith 
in  Gilsum   (now,  1922,  where  Samuel  Ball  lives  in  Surry  village)  :  thus: 

Mar.  13,  1764.  At  a  Legal  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  of  the  Town  of 
Gilsum,  in  the  Province  of  New  Hampshire,  holden  at  the  dwelling  house 
of  mr  Jonathan  Smith  in  Gilsum  afore  Sd,  the  following  business  was 
transacted : 

1  Art:      Chose  mr  Woolston  Brockway  moderator  to  Govern   Sd  meet- 

ing. 

2  Art:     Chose  mr  Obadiah  Willcox  Proprietors  Clark. 

3  Art:      Chose  Jonathan  Smith,  Woolston  Brockway  &  Joseph  Mack  to 


*Taken    from    Proprietors    records,    and    also    from    History    of    Gilsum. 


34  History  of  Surry 

be  a  Committee  to  lay  out  and  Clear  necessary  Rodes  or  high- 
ways in  Sd  Gilsum. 
Voted  to  dismiss  4  Art;   viz.  "to  make  a  rate  or  assessment  to  defray 
the  Charges  of  Sd  highway,  and  to  purchase  a  proprietors 
Book." 
Voted  to  dismiss  5  Art;   viz.  "to  Chuse  a  Collector  or  Collectors." 
Voted  to  dismiss  6  Art;   viz.  "to  Chuse  a  Treasurer." 
Voted  to  dismiss  7  Art;   viz.  "to  See  if  the   Proprietors  will  alow  any 
thing  for  the  work  alraedy  done  towards  Clearing  necessary 
Rodes  in  Sd  Town." 
Voted  to  dismiss  the  meeting. 

Test  Clement  Sumner  Proprietors 

Clark. 

The  eighth  Proprietors  meeting  was  held  at  Jonathan  Smith's  house: 
July  16,  1764, 

1  Art;     Chose  Jonathan  Smith  Moderator. 

2  Art;     To  chuse  a  Committee  to  Treet  and  Setel  with  Capt.   Samuel 

Gilbert  of  hebron  aboute  a  Sum  of  money  that  was  paid  to 
the  Rev.  Clement  Sumner  of  Keen  (Keene)  which  sd  pro- 
prietors think  hath  no  Just  Right  to  and  that  sd  Committee 
agree  and  Setel  with  Sd  Gilbert  about  a  man  or  men  whose 
name  or  names  ware  Sent  to  be  put  into  the  Charter  whose 
name  or  names  is  suposed  that  he  the  Sd  Gilbert  Struck  out 
and  put  others  in  and  that  Sd  Committee  agree  and  Setel  with 
Sd  Gilbert  about  the  overplus  Rights  that  fell  in  what  was 
Calld  Masons  patton  ("the  patent  line")  which  Sd  proprietors 
think  they  have  a  Just  Right  to  have  and  further  that  Sd 
Committee  Setel  with  the  old  Committee  whitch  Bought  the 
Town  of  Gilsum  about  the  Six  overplush  Rights  which  the 
Sd  proprietors  think  they  have  a  Right  to  have  and  make 
their  Return  of  the  Same. 
Thomas  Pitkins,  Jr.  Peter  Olcott  and  Jonathan  Smith  were  chosen 
said  committee.  Obadiah  Willcox       Prs  Clk. 

The  ninth  Proprietors  meeting  was  held  at  Jonathan  Smith's  house: 

Oct.  31,  1764,  Josiah  Kilburn,  Moderator;  Joseph  Spensor,  Obadiah 
Willcox  and  Job  Gleason  Assessors;  "chose  Josiah  Killburn,  Joshua  ful- 
ler and  Eliphalet  Dart  a  committee  to  Receive  and  adjust  accompts  with 
those  that  Do  the  worke  on  the  Highways  in  Sd  Town."  The  building 
of  roads  in  town  was  taken  up  for  the  first  time  this  year;  some 
work,  however,  must  have  been  done  on  the  roads  during  1763,  as 
noted  in  Art.  7,  at  the  March  meeting,  of  this  year. 

The  tenth  Proprietors  meeting  according  to  the  old  book  did  not  take  place 
until  Aug.  26,  1766,  which  seems  hardly  probable,  as  the  ninth  meeting  was 


Proprietor's  Records  35 

held  nearly  two  years  earlier.  The  records  of  the  Proprietors  meetings  doubt- 
less were  kept  on  sheets  of  paper  up  to  this  time — according  to  the  vote  taken 
on  Mar.  13,  1764, — hence,  it  is  possible  the  record  of  the  meeting  held  during 
1765  was  lost  or  destroyed.     At  this  meeting; 

1st     Chose,  Ebenezer  Killburn  Moderator. 

2d  Chose,  Ebenezer  Dewey,  Abel  Allen,  Joseph  Spensor  a  Committee 
to  Lay  out  and  Clear  Highways  in  Sd  Town. 

3d  Chose  Ebenezer  Dewey,  Obadiah  Willcox,  Meedad  Thomson  a  com- 
mittee to  Treat  with  the  Town  of  Keen  about  a  Highway  Lead- 
ing from  the  Town  of  Gilsum  to  Keen  Meeting  house. 

The  last  Art.  in  the  Warrant  was  to  see,  "if  Sd  Proprietors  will  be  att 
the  Charge  of  Beating  a  Highway  through  to  Keen  Meeting  House 
whare  Mr  Killburn  and  Mr  Hayward  have  marked  it."  No  action  taken 
on  this  Art. 

The  eleventh  Proprietors  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Josiah  Kill- 
burn's  in  Sd  Gilsum,  Nov.  3,  1767,  at  which  time  Woolston  Brockway  was 
chosen  Moderator:  Voted  to  establish  the  lines  on  the  west  side  of  the  Moun- 
tain where  they  now  are,  etc.  Obadiah  Willcox,  Prop.  Clerk. 

The  twelfth  Proprietors  meeting  at  Jonathan  Smith's  house: 

Sept.  21,  1768.     Chose,  John  Marvin  Moderator;  Chose,  Obadiah  Will- 
cox, Jonathan  Smith  and  John  Marvin  a  committee  to  settle  with  Sam- 
uel Gilbert;  Chose,  Obadiah  Willcox  and  Joshua  Dart  to  go  and  take  ad- 
vise of  Lawyer  Ollcot    (of  Charlestown)    in  the  matter  and  make  their 
return.     This  was  in  connection  with  the  disagreement  between  the  pro- 
prietors and  Capt.  Gilbert,  previous  mentioned.     They  evidentally  felt 
much  aggrieved,  thinking  Capt.  Gilbert  had  taken  the  lion's  share  for 
.   himself  and  his  son-in-law.  Rev.  Clement  Sumner  of  Keene, — from  Gil- 
sum History. 
Prior  to  1769,  at  which  time  Surry  was  incorporated,  it  appears  that  all 
town  business  was  transacted  by  the  proprietors,  without  separate  organiza- 
tion. 

The  thirteenth  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Jonathan  Smith: 

"Munday  the  ninth  Day  of  January  1769," 

1st  Chose  Ebenezer  Dewey  Moderator.  2nd  Chose  Obadiah  Willcox, 
Woolston  Brockway,  Joshua  Dart,  John  Marvin  and  Nathaniel  Dart  a 
committee  to  Rectify  the  Proprietors  Book.  3d  Voted  not  to  Exsept  of 
the  Return  of  the  Settlement  with  Capt.  Samuel  Gilbert.  4th  Voted  not 
to  Chuse  a  Committee  to  Settel  with  Capt.  Gilbert.  5th  Voted  to  pur- 
chase paper  for  a  proprietors  Book. 

Obadiah  Willcox       Proprietors  Clark. 

The  fourteenth  Proprietors  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Joshua  Dart 
"in  Surry"  on  Monday,  Jan.  15,  1770: 

1st     Chose  John  Marvin  Moderator. 

2d      Voted  to  "Exsept  of  the  plan  of  Boyl  now  Gilsum  in  maner  and 


36  History  of  Surry 

form  as  Surveyed  and  Returned  By  Caleb  Willard,  Surveyor  of 
Lands  with  an  alowence  of  fore  (4)  acres  to  Each  Hundred  acres 
for  Highways." 
3d      Voted  that  each  proprietor  shall  hold  250  acres  of  land. 

Chose  Obadiah  Willcox,  Jo^shua  Dart  and  Ebenezer  Killburn  to 
lay  out  to  each  share  two  Hundred  and  fifty  acres. 
Chose  John  Marvin  to  ascest  the  Clark  in  .Recording. 
7th  "Chose  Thomas  Harvey,  Jonathan  Smith,  sr  and  Joshua  Dart  a 
Committee  to  treet  with  westmore  Land  and  walpole  to  measher 
thir  town  Lines  to  See  if  they  hant  Got  more  than  their  Comple- 
ment of  Land." 

Obadiah  Willcox         Proprietors 
Clark 
Began  the  Ranging  Table  after  this. 

The  fifteenth  meeting  held  at  Jonathan  Smith  house,  May  6,  1771,  "at  teen 
of  the  Clock  in  the  morning." 

1st      Chose  Joshua  Dart  Moderator. 

2nd     Voted  not  to  act — "to  Chuse  a  proprietors  Clark  if  need  Be. 
3d       "Voted  to   Exsept  of  the  report  of  the   Committee,"  composed  of 
John    Marvin    Abel    Allen    and    Ebenezer    Dewey   chosen    to   call 
those  persons  that  have  received   any  money  or  other   Speashe 
Belonging  to  the  proprietors  of   Gilsum  to   an   account  for  the 
same.     It  was  also, 
"Voted  to  measher  the  Town  of  Gilsum  Exclusive  of  what  masons 
patton  and  Westmoreland  takes  off,"  and  chose  Jonathan  Smith, 
Ebenezer  Killburn  and  Stephen  Griswold  a  committee  to  meas- 
ure said  town  and  voted  to  employ  Jeremiah  Stiles  as  surveyor, 
etc.     It  was  also  voted. 
That  half  the  proprietors  meetings   shall   be   held   in   Gilsum   and 
half  in  Surry,  and  that  the  warning  shall  be  set  up  at  Ebenezer 
Dewey's  and  the  usual  place  in  Surry. 
Chose  Thomas  Harvey  and  Ebenezer  Killburn,  Collectors. 

Obadiah  Willcox       Propr       Clerk. 

The  sixteenth   proprietors  meeting  was   held   at  the   house   of  Josiah   Kill- 
burn  in  Gilsum,  on  Nov.  5,  1771 — no  very  important  business  was  transacted. 

BOUNDARY  LINES 

'  The  boundai-y  lines  between  Surry  and  adjoining  towns  have  been  peram- 
bulated once  in  every  seven  years,  for  just  how  long  has  not  been  ascei'tained. 
The  following  were  taken  early  in  the  last  century  and  are  typical  of  those 
taken  in  other  years. 

Surry  and  Westmoreland 

Agreeable  to  the  laws  of  New  Hampshire  the  subscribers  have  per- 
ambulated the  line  between  Sui'iy  and  Westmoreland  as  follows,  viz. — 


Boundary  Lines  37 

Beginning  at  a  beech  tree  in  Keene  line  which  is  the  southwest  corner 
of  Surry,  thence  north  nine  degrees  &  thirty  minutes  east  two  miles  and 
an  half  &  forty-eight  rods  to  a  stake  &  stones  standing  in  Walpole  line, 
which  is  the  northeast  corner  of  Westmoreland,  and  have  set  up  a  stake 
&  stones  every  eighty  rods  which  are  numbered  according  to  their  dis- 
tance. 

N.  B.     The  first  stake  is  forty-eight  rods  from  Surry  Corner. 
Surveyed, 
Nov.  1,  1800  Jonas  Robbins,  Surveyor. 

Asa  Hancock,  Selectman  of   Surry. 
William  Britton,  Selectman  of  Westmoreland. 

Surry  and  Keene 

Beginning  at  a  beech  tree  which  is  the  southeast  (west)  corner  of 
Surry  and  standing  in  the  north  line  of  Keene  and  runs  from  said  cor- 
ner of  Surry  East  eight  degrees  30  minutes  North  to  a  hemlock  tree 
which  is  the  south  east  corner  of  Surry  in  the  said  line  of  Keene  and 
have  marked  a  number  of  trees  on  said  line  and  put  the  letters  "T.  L," 
on  a  number  of  said  trees,  also  erected  stakes  and  put  stones  round  them 
at  the  end  of  every  quarter  of  a  mile  and  put  the  letters  "T,  L."  on  the 
stakes. 

Surveyed, 
Nov.  1,  1800.  Joel  Kingsbury,       Surveyor. 

Abel  Blake  &  Ebenezer  Robbins,  Selectmen  of  Keene. 
Asa  Hancock  &  Sarel  Hayward,  Selectmen  of  Surry. 

SURRY   AND   GiLSUM 

This  day  the  towns  of  Gilsum  and  Surry  met  at  the  Northwest  corner 
of  Gilsum  and  the  Northeast  corner  of  Surry  and  perambulated  the  line 
between  said  towns  to  the  Southwest  corner  of  Gilsum  and  the  South- 
east corner  of  Surry,  and  renewed  said  lines. 
Surveyed, 
Nov.  20,  1800. 

Surry  and  Walpole 

Course  from  Walpole  Southeast  corner,  near  Mr.  J.  Cheever  Fowlers 
in  Surry,  N.  42  ininutes,  E.  1024  rods  to  the  Northwest  corner  of  Surry, 
which  course  leaves  the  said  original  corner  of  Surry  12  rods  3  links  to 
the  east.  From  said  corner  to  the  original  northeast  corner  of  Walpole, 
course  N.  42  minutes,  E.  2120  rods,  making  in  the  whole  3144  rods  or  9 
miles  264  rods,  stakes  and  stones  placed  every  80  rods  on  the  Surry  line. 
Surveyed  in  Esq.  John  Hubbard,     Surveyor. 

Nov.  &  Dec.  1800. 

Surry  and  Alstead 

Began  at  the  Northwest  corner  of  Surry,  which  is  the  Southwest  cor- 
ner of  the  town  of  Alstead  standing  m  the  East  line  of  Walpole:  run- 
ning East  290  rods  to  the  County  road  leading  to  Walpole  Bridge  one 


38  History  of  Surry 

mile  and  82  rods  from  said  corner  to  the  County  Road  leading,  from 
Surry  to  Alstead  meeting  house,  one  mile  and  116  rods  to  the  Thompson 
brook   (so  called)   said  brook  bears  south  20  degrees  west,  2  miles  and 
170  rods  the  whole  length  of  the  North  line  of  Surry,  to  the  northwest 
corner  of  Gilsum. 
Surveyed, 
Apr.  30,  1805. 
A  map  of  the  town  of  Surry  1805  discovered  in  the  office  of  Secretary  of 
State  at  Concord,  1922.     From  this  map  we  give  the  following  facts: 
North — Surry  and  Alstead  line  ran  east  810  rods. 
East — Surry  and  Gilsum  line  ran  south  1°  east  1520  rods. 
South — Surry  and  Keene  line  ran  west  8°  south  1154  I'ods. 
West — *Surry  and  Westmoreland  line  ran  north  10°  east  840  rods. 
North — Surry  and  Walpole  line  ran  east  10°  south  120  rods. 
West — Surry  and  Walpole  line  ran  north  1020  rods,  to  starting  point. 
"A  Plan  of  the  Town  of  Surry,  N.  H.     Taken  by  actual  survey 
1805  and  protracted  by  the  scale  of  200  rods  to  the  inch. 

Samuel  Hills  |        Selectmen    of    Surry." 

Asahel  Harvey       J 

THE  NEW  HAMPSHIRE  GRANTS  ' 

It  is  not  our  purpose  to  give  a  detailed  account  of  the  New  Hampshire 
Grants,  or  the  Vermont  Controversy,  as  it  was  called,  but  as  Surry,  with  other 
towns  on  the  east  side  of  the  Connecticut  river,  was  for  a  short  time  under 
the  authority  of  Vermont  some  mention  should  be  made  of  the  affair. 

At  the  time  the  south  boundary  line  of  New  Hampshire  was  established,  in 
1740,  it  was  supposed  that  that  line  extended  the  same  distance  west  as  the 
north  line  of  Massachusetts,  and  New  Hampshire  claimed  what  is  now  Ver- 
mont. In  1749  Gov.  Benning  Wentworth  of  New  Hampshire  granted  the 
first  of  138  towns  which  he  granted  in  Vermont  and  named  it  Bennington, 
after  himself.  For  more  than  a  score  of  years  prior  to  the  Revolutionary 
war  New  York  also  claimed  the  territory  which  is  now  the  state  of  Vermont. 
This  dispute  finally  led  up  to  the  Westminster  massacre  which  took  place 
March  13,  1775,  when  William  French  was  killed,  his  being  claimed  to  have 
been  the  first  blood  shed  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution. 

**  During  that  War  the  "civil  affairs  in  New  Hampshire  were  in  a 
confused  state;  the  courts  were  suspended  and  there  was  no  adminis- 
tration of  justice.  The  inhabitants  of  some  of  the  towns  on  the  east 
side  of  the  Connecticut,  at  that  time  considered  quite  remote  from  the 
center  of  political  power  in  New  Hampshire,  became  dissatisfied  and 
proposed  to  join  the  new  state  (of  New  Connecticut,  alias  Vermont), 
the  central  power  of  which  would  be  in  the  Connecticut  valley.     It  was 


*Note:  "The  distance  of  the  line  on  Westmoreland  Map  adjoining  Surry  is  marked 
848  Rods  and  on  this  840  Rods  they  ought  to  be  alike;  there  were  two  surveys  but 
the   latter   disagreed   with   the   former   eight   rods." 

**Prom  History  of  Keene. 


New  Hampshire  Grants  39 

claimed  by  many  that  the  west  line  of  New  Hampshire  was  that  of  the 
original  grant  to  Capt.  John  Mason  in  1629"  and  long  known  as  the 
"Masonian  line"  or  the  "Patent  line." 

When  the  legislature  of  the  new  state — which  had  adopted  the  name 
of  Vermont,  but  had  not  been  admitted  to  the  Union — met  for  the  first 
time  at  Windsor,  Vt.,  on  the  12th  of  March,  1778,  sixteen  towns  on  the 
east  side  of  the  river  asked  to  be  admitted  to  that  state,  and  they  were 
received.  Public  opinion  in  Cheshire  county  was  divided  and  a  conven- 
tion of  delegates  from  several  of  the  towns  met  at  Surry  in  January,  to 
discuss  the  situation. 

At  a  town  meeting  in  Surry  Nov.  14,  1780,  Woolston  Brockway  and  Joshua 
Darte  were  chosen  delegates  to  go  to  a  County  Convention  to  be  held  at  Wal- 
pole  on  Nov.  15th  inst  to  join  with  other  delegates  who  represent  the  New 
Hampshire  Grants.  (This  corrects  Keene  History,  page  260,  which  states 
"Capt.  Lemuel  Holmes  of  Surry"  was  their  delegate.  Capt.  Holmes  was  still 
living  in  Walpole  at  that  time.) 

Another  town  meeting  was  held  Jan.  10,  1781  at  which  time  Woolston 
Brockway  was  chosen  a  delegate  to  attend  a  convention  at  Charlestown,  on 
the  16th  of  that  month.  The  town  also  voted  at  this  meeting  "that  we  will  be 
United  with  the  Grants  on  the  West  Side  of  the  River,"  and  on  Feb.  5th  it 
was  voted  to  accept  the  report  of  convention. 

The  annual  March  meeting  took  place  on  the  27th  of  the  month  and  this 
was  the  last  call  under  the  authority  of  New  Hampshire  until  the  annual 
meeting  of  March  26,  1782.  The  regular  town  officers  were  elected  as  usual 
in  1781;  the  town  then  voted  to  accept  the  articles  of  Union  between  the  state 
of  Vermont  and  the  Grants  on  the  east  side  of  the  river;  also  voted  to  send 
Woolston  Brockway  as  Representative  to  the  Assembly  to  be  held  at  Wind- 
sor, Vt.,  on  April  4,  1781.  There  were  at  least  four  men  in  town  who  went 
on  record  at  this  meeting  as  being  opposed  to  the  vote  and  who  stated,  we  con- 
sider it,  "a  breach  of  peace  of  the  United  States,  do  hereby  protest  against  the 
vote  of  the  Town."  Signed  by, 

"Jonathan  Smith,  Ichabod  Smith,  William  Russell  and  Asa  Wilcox." 

At  the  aforesaid  'meeting  it  was  "voted  to  postpone  said  meeting  until  May 
7,  1781"  but  from  the  town  records  the  adjourned  meeting  never  took  place. 
The  State  of  Vermont  called  the  next  meeting  in  Surry,  thus : 

"State  of  Vermont, 

Washington,  s.  s.  Surry  April  26,  1781. 

"To  the  Constables  or  Select  men  of  Surry:  Whereas  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  State  of  Vermont  at  their  Sessions  at  Windsor  April 
1781,  Resolved  that  the  Constables  or  Select  men  of  the  Several  Tovims 
of  the  County  of  Washington  Shall  warne  the  Inhabitants  in  there  Re- 
spective (?)  Towns  to  meet  at  the  usual  places  of  holding  Town  meet- 
ings in  there  Respective  Towns  on  wedensday  the  Second  Day  of  May 
next  in  order  to  Qualify  them  to  vote  in  Said  meeting." 

The  meeting  took  place  accordingly  and  John  Marvin  was  chosen  modera- 
tor;  Lemuel  Holmes,  selectman;   Abel  Allen,  constable;   Hiram  Chapin,  Eli- 


40 


History  of  Surry 


phalet  Dart  and  Obadiah  Black   (Blake),  listers.     The  oath  of  Fidelity  and 
the  Freemans  oath  was  administered  to  several  of  said  inhabitants. 

A  convention  was  held  in  Cornish  in  April  1781  and  when  the  returns  from 
the  towns  on  the  east  side  of  the  river  had  been  examined  it  was  found  the 
following  towns  had  accepted  the  terms  of  union  with  Vermont : 

Acworth,  Gilsum,  Lincoln, 

Alstead,  Grafton,  Lyman, 

Bath  Grantham,  Lyme, 

Cardigan,  Gunthwait,  Marlow, 

Charlestown,  Hanover,  Newport, 

Chesterfield,  Haverhill,  Piermont, 

Claremont,  Hinsdale,  Plainfield, 

Cornish,  Lancaster,  Richmond, 

Croydon,  Landaff,  Saville, 

Dorchester,  Lebanon,  Surry, 

Dresden,  Lempster,  Westmoreland, 
Morristown    (now  Franconia.)  Walpole, 

No  returns  were  received  from  any  towns  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  re- 
fusing to  accept  the  union.  Thirty-six  Vermont  towns  favored  and  seven  dis- 
approved of  the  union. 

The  next  town  meeting  took  place  June  11th  when  the  town  voted  to  pro- 
cure five  men  to  fill  our  "cota  for  the  Defence  of  the  Northern  frounteers" 
and  each  to  receive  "one  pound  pr  month.  Equal  to  Silver  to  be  paid  By  the 
Town." 

The  next  and  last  call  of  a  town  meeting  under  the  authority  of  the  state 
of  Vermont  took  place  July  23,  1781  when  it  was  voted  to  hire  three  men  to 
guard  the  Frontier  and  to  serve  until  Dec.  15th  next.  Also  voted,  "not  raise 
any  money  this  year  to  repair  the  meeting  house." 

Feb.  19,  1778:  Voted  to  recall  all  instructions  given  to  Absalom  Kingsbury 
(of  Alstead)  and  that  he  forthwith  desist  acting  with  the  Assembly  in  the 
State  of  New  Hampshire,  until  further  orders. 


CHAPTER  V 
ROADS,    HIGHWAYS   AND    BRIDGES 

One  of  the  first,  most  essential  and  expensive  departments  in  the  history 
of  nearly  every  township  in  New  Hampshire  has  been  that  of  roads  and 
bridges,  or  the  highway  department.  Moreover,  it  has  been  a  case  of  build- 
ing or  repairing  roads  in  summer  and  breaking  or  rolling  roads  in  winter. 

During  the  entire  existence  of  this  town — and  even  before — the  building 
and  repairing  of  roads  and  bridges  has  annually  received  due  consideration. 
Fortunately  in  this  respect,  Surry  has  a  much  less  mileage  of  roads  than 
most  towns,  and  comparatively  few  bridges  to  maintain — all  small,  however, 
except  one  which  spans  the  Ashuelot  river. 

The  first  settlers  who  came  hither  found  this  region  a  vast  wilderness;  a 
dense  forest  of  mammoth  trees  covered  their  land;  their  first  habitation  was 
a  rude  hut  or  log  cabin  reached  by  a  "bee  line"  on  foot,  next  came  a  blazed 
trail,  or  bridle  path,  then  came  the  road,  the  highway,  the  turnpike  and  fin- 
ally state  highway.  Doubtless  the  first  roads  were  in  many  cases  nearly 
identical  with  an  earlier  bridle  path,  some  of  which  were  "laid  out"  while 
others  were  "surveyed." 

The  earliest  mention  of  "roads"  is  found  in  1764  in  the  old  Proprietors 
Records  of  Gilsum  and  Surry,  now  in  the  hands  of  the  Town  Clerk  of  Surry. 

Feb.  27,  1764,  Clement  Sumner,  Proprietors  Clerk  (of  Keene)  issued  a  call 
for  a  Meeting  to  "be  holden  at  the  house  of  mr.  Jonathan  Smith"  who  then 
lived  in  that  part  of  Gilsum,  now  Surry  village.     The  7th  Art  reads: 

"to  See  if  the  Proprietors  will  alow  any  thing  for  the  work  already  been 
done  towards  Clearing  necessary  Roades  in  Sd  Town?" 

"Voted  to  dismiss  the  7th  article,"  they  therefore  received  no  recompense 
for  their  services. 

From  this  it  would  appear  that  roads  were  laid  out  as  early  as  the  fall  of 
1763,  and  there  is  reason  to  think  at  least  some  of  them  were  in  Surry  valley. 
Another  Proprietors  meeting  was  held  at  the  above  dwelling  house  on  March 
13th  following  at  which  time  Art.  3 : 

"Chose  Jonathan  Smith  Woolston  Brockway  &  Joseph  Mack  to 
be  a  committee  to  lay  out  and  Clear  necessary  Rodes  or  highways 
in  Sd  Gilsum."  Clement  Sumner  Proprietors  Clerk." 

The  above  committee  made  the  following  report: 
"Gilsum  April  16th  and  I7th  1764. 

Then  Laid  out  by  the  Proprietors  Committee  a  Seartain  Highway 
Begining  at  the  head  or  Ende  of  a  Highway  that  Leads  from  Keen  a 
cross  the  Northeast  Corner  of  Westmoreland  To  the  Defident  (Dividing) 
Line  Between  the  town  of  Sd  Westmoreland  and  the  Town  of  Sd  Gilsum 
Leading  aCross  the  west  End  of  Sd  Gilsum  to  the  Town  of  Allstead 


42  History  of  Surry 

Sd  Highway  is  Laid  out  six  Rods  wide  and  whean  it  Begins  as  afore- 
said To  Run  Boring  on  the  Brinke  of  the  hill  three  Rods  of  Sd  High- 
way to  be  fearly  above  the  Decent  of  the  hill  till  It  falls  onto  the  De- 
fident  Line  Between  Lots  which  Line  runs  North  and  South  Being  the 
Line  of  the  sixth  Range  *  *  *  from  whare  it  falls  into  Sd  Line  Run- 
ing  North  *  *  *  the  moyety  to  be  on  the  one  Side  and  the  other  moyety 
*  *  *  the  wedith  on  the  other  Side  Sd  Defident  Line  till  It  comes  onto 
the  Northwest  Corner  of  the  Lott  No:  7  thence  Turning  a  Littel  west 
of  the  North  a  Crost  the  Lott  No:  8  as  the  trees  are  marked  and  the 
Breadth  of  Sd  Highway  is  to  go  on  that  Side  Sd  marked  trees  on  whitch 
they  are  marked  "with  six  Knotches  on  Sd  trees  are  also  to  Shew  that 
Sd  Highway  is  six  Rods  wide  thence  Runing  Northerly  by  trees 
Marked  as  aforesaid  to  the  North  Line  of  Sd  Gilsum  to  Be  and  Remain 
a  Publick  and  open  Highway  for  the  futer  or  untill  the  Select  men  of 
Sd  town  in  thair  aniell  Successirous  or  Proprietors  Comittee  for  that 
purpose  Shall  for  Suffecent  Reasons  make  any  alterations. 

Woolston  Brockway  1 

Proprietors 
Joseph  Mack  y  ^ 

Comittee. 
Jonathan   Smith  J 

Test     pr    me         Obadiah  Willcox, 

Porprietors  Clark." 

Here  we  have  a  lay-out,  by  marked  trees,  of  the  first  road  up  the  Ashuelot 
valley  to  Alstead  town  line — nearly  five  years  before  the  incorporation  of 
Surry.  From  Keene  line  it  ran  across  the  east  end  of  Westmoreland  Leg  to 
the  old  line  of  Gilsum,  then  crossing  the  west  end  of  the  latter  town  to  Al- 
stead. The  portion  thru  Westmoreland  was  probably  laid-out  as  early  as 
1763  by  a  committee  from  that  town. 

The  next  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  was  held  July  16th — the  5th  Art: 

"To  see  if  Sd  proprietors  will  alow  aney  thing  for  what  has  al  Ready 
Been   Done  towards   Laying   out   Highways   and   Clearing   Same  in   Sd 
Town  and  make  a  Return  of  the  Same,"  it  was; 
"Voted  to  Dismis  the  fifth  Article." 

The  Dort  Road 

On  June  1,  1765  the  Proprietors  laid  out  a  road  on  the  meadow  which  be- 
gan "at  contry  rode  between  Mr.  (Joshua)  Fuller's  and  Mr.  (Job)  Gleson's." 
This  ran  part  of  the  way  on  the  River  bank,  but  probably  this  road  was  not 
built  as  there  was  one  laid  out  the  next  year  running  in  nearly  the  same 
place,  thus:  November  10,  1766;  Highway  laid  out  beginning  at  highway 
that  leads  thru  the  west  part  of  Gilsum,  at  North  side  of  Joshua  Fuller's 
land,  and  running  East  on  said  Fuller's  land  to  Obadiah  Willcox's  land;  run- 
ning North  on  said  Willcox's  to  Eliphalet  Dort's  land;  running  North  on 
said  Dort's  land  to  Ichabod  Smith's  land;  running  North  on  said  Smith's  land 
to  River  bank;  turning  North-West  on  Samuel  Hall's  land,  formerly  Joseph 
Spencer's,  to  Moses  Dickinson  Field's;  turning  West  and  running  by  said 
Field's  land  to  first  mentioned  highway.     This  road  was  to  be  two  rods  wide, 


Roads,  Highways  and  Bridges  43 

and  is  the  "Dort  road,"  so-called,  but  there  is  reason  to  think  it  ran  farther 
to  the  east,  and  north  to  near  the  river  bank  when  built — than  at  present — 
see  map. 

June  9,  1808  laid  out  a  road  east  of  Levi  Fuller's  Beginning  just  North  of 
where  John  Hill  lives,  then  ran  East,  then  North  and  then  West  to  new^ 
Cheshire  Turnpike  road.  Where  this  road  ran  North  &  South  it  was  laid 
out  between  the  6th.  &  7th.  Range  and  all  of  said  road  was  on  the  7th  Range. 

At  a  Proprietors  meeting  held  at  the  house  of  Jonathan  Smith,  Aug.  26, 
1766  an  article  in  the  Warrant  to  see : 

"If  Sd  Proprietors  will  be  att  the  Charge  of  Beeting  a  Highway  through 
to  Keen  Meeting  House  whare  Mr  Killburn  and  Mr  Hayward  have 
marked  it." 

Whether  any  portion  of  this  road  was  in  the  present  town  of  Surry  is  un- 
known. 

The  first  mention  of  roads  after  the  incorporation  of  Surry  came  up  in 
town  meeting,  May  1,  1769  when  it  was  voted  to  "Raise  taxes  in  the  Same 
method  as  they  Do  in  ConnetecuF'  and  also  voted  "to  work  at  Highways  By 
the  polls  the  year  Ensuing."     On  June  14,  1770,  it  was: 

Voted  that  the  Selectmen  should  lay  out  and  exchange  or  alter  High- 
ways and  make  report  to  the  Town  or  by  or  sell  as  occasion  shall  Serve, 
etc.     Similar  action  was  taken  at  next  Annual  meeting. 

The  Pent  Road 

On  Sept.  5,  1770  the  selectmen  laid  out  a  "Pent  road"  which  ran  easterly 
across  the  meadow  to  the  foot  of  the  mountain  where  John  Still  lived. 

This  road  was  1%  rods  wide  and  entered  the  present  highway  in  a  straight 
line  "within  two  rods  north  of  said  Brockway's  house"  where  Geo.  A.  Hall 
now  lives.  In  1782  it  was  voted  to  let  Woolston  Brockway  have  the  liberty 
to  "Pen  the  Highway  easterly  to  the  meddow."  May  28,  1785  that  part  of 
the  pent  road  leading  across  Woolston  Brockway's  land  easterly  of  his  house 
was  changed  and  in  "lew  thereof  laid  it  out  on  the  South  side  of  John  Brock- 
way's land,"  1^/^  rods  wide.  In  1796  Cushman  Smith  gave  land  from  off  his 
farm,  and  between  him  and  John  Brockway  to  make  still  further  change  in 
the  west  end  of  this  pent  road. 

Owing  to  this  being  a  "pent  road"  it  received  more  attention  in  town  meet- 
ing during  the  first  30  years  of  its  history  than  any  other  one  road. 

Year  after  year  the  distribution  of  the  "herbage"  and  to  see  if  it  shall  re- 
main "pent"  came  up  in  town  meeting. 

This  road  as  finally  laid  out  entered  the  present  highway  by  crossing  the 
farm  of  the  late  William  Carpenter's  home  place  (No.  38),  and  just  above 
the  fence  south  of  his  buildings.  In  1798  there  were  three  or  four  "gates"  on 
this  road. 

March  31,  1771,  Voted  to  raise  36  pounds  lawful  money  to  repair  highways 
in  town,  and  allow  "three  Shiling  the  Day"  in  the  spring  and  summer  and 


44  History  of  Surry 

"two  Shiling  and  six  pence  the  Day  in  the  fawl  months"  for  work.  Also  that 
"two  yok  of  oxen  Should  be  equal  to  a  man"  and  a  cart  and  plow  should  "be 
one  Shiling  ye  Day." 

Oct.  1784.  The  town  voted  to  accept  a  road  laid  out  from  John  Reddings 
to  Ford  Bates.     The  location  of  this  road  is  not  positively  known. 

The  Carpenter  Road 

In  Sept.  1770  it  was  voted  to  accept  the  Highway  laid  out  to  Mr.  Wades 
land.     The  records  are  obscure  regarding  this  road  and  Mr.  Wade. 

As  far  as  known  Duren  Wade  who  lived  on  "Carpenter  hill"  was  the  only 
man  of  that  name  in  town  and  as  there  was  a  road  laid  out  to  Duren's  house 
in  Oct.  1771  it  is  presumed  the  first  one  was  not.  The  latter  road  was  two 
rods  wide  and  ran  westerly  from  the  "Great  road"  through  land  of  Moses  D. 
Field  and  "south  of  Thomas  Smith's  land," — or  the  Perkins  place.  The 
Kampe  family  now  own  that  part  of  the  Moses  D.  Field  farm.  Later  this 
was  known  as  the  "Carpenter  road." 

It  was  also  voted  at  the  Sept.  1770  meeting  to  "except"  alterations  in  "the 
middle  highway  *  '*  above  Dug  hill  so  that  it  should  be  two  rods  fairly  above 
the  fall  of  the  bank  and  continues  but  four  rods  wide,"  etc.,  till  it  got  twenty 
rods  up  against  Mr.  Brockway's  land  and  then  to  widen  out  to  its  full  breadth 
(six  rods). 

The  Great  Road 

In  1772  the  town  deemed  it  expedient  that  a  careful  and  accurate  survey 
should  be  made  of  the  road  which  ran  through  the  entire  length  of  the  town. 
A  committee  was  chosen  for  that  purpose  and  Jeremiah  Stiles,  an  able  sur- 
veyor of  Keene,  was  employed.  Prior  to  1806  this  was  the  Main  or  "Great 
road,"  as  it  was  called,  and  was  used  by  the  old  stage  coach  until  about  1850. 

In  order  to  modernize  this  survey  the  following  explanation  is  made: 

Peter  Hayward  lived  on  the  Samuel  L.  Newton  place. 

William  Hayward  lived  on  the  Frank  E.  Ellis  place. 

Samuel   Macordis    (McCurdy) — Late   Edmond  Woodward  place. 

William  Barron  lived  on  Jasper  N.  Keller  summer  place. 

Benj.  Whitney's  shop  was  at  foot  "Kingsbury  hill." 

Charles  Rice  was  probably  the  M.  D.  Carpenter  place. 

Joshua  Darts  was  the  Oscar  B.  Deane  place. 

Westmoreland  line,  the  wall  north  of  O.  B.  Deane's  home  place. 

The  six  rod  road  started  just  north  of  Francis  F.  Field's  dwelling  house. 

Mack's  old  hovel,  near  James  E.  Harvey's  dwelling  house. 

Joshua  Fuller  lived  on  Hollis  W.  Harvey  place. 

Skinner  lived  possibly  on  the  George  Malcolm  place. 

Ebenezer  Daniels  probably  lived  at  or  near  where  James  V.   Stillings 

lives. 
Moses  D.  Field  lived  where  Allen  L.  Green  now  ownes. 
Thomas  Smith  lived  on  the  Perkins  place. 
Chapin's  mill  property,  is  now  that  of  H.  N.  Scripture. 
Joseph  Mack's  field  was  near  the  Holbrook  tavern. 


Roads,  Highways  and  Bridges  45 

The  end  of  six  rod  road  was  just  above  the  bridge  where  the  road  turned 

N.  W.  and  ran  up  the  hill  past  Hodskins  place  to  Alstead  town  line. 
Jonathan  Smith  lived  on  the  Samuel  Ball  place. 

This  survey  in  full  was  as  follows: 

Survey  of  the  Road  Thru  Surry  in  1772 

"Whereas  we  the  subscribers  being  appointed  a  committee  to  Survey 
the  Highway  through  the  town  of  Surry,  accordingly  on  the  29th  of 
Septemper  A.  D.  1772,  we  began  at  the  town  line  South  of  Peter  Hay- 
wards  and  laid  the  road  4  rods  wide  2  miles  and  130  rods,  which  comes 
to  the  Southwest  corner  of  the  homestead  of  Mr.  Jonathan  Smiths  in 
sd  Surry,  from  thence  we  laid  the  road  six  rods  wide  three  miles  and 
22  rods  to  the  crotch  of  the  road  that  leads  to  Alstead,  from  thence 
we  took  the  west  road  and  laid  it  4  rods  wide  to  the  town  line,  meaning 
the  line  between  Surry  and  Alstead,  it  being  102  rods,  etc.  Said  road 
is  bounded  as  follows,  viz. 

"Beginning  at  a  stake  and  stones  set  up  for  the  west  side  of  the  high- 
way in  the  town  line,  meaning  the  line  between  the  town  of  Surry  and 
the  town  of  Keene,  from  said  stake,  ran  N.  4°  W.  27  rods  to  a  stake 
standing  partly  between  Peter  Hay  ward's  house  and  barn;  then  W.  31" 
N.  11  rods  to  a  stake;  then  N.  13°  E.  12  rods;  then  N.  24°  E.  16  rods; 
then  N.  3°  W.  20  rods;  then  N.  7"  E.  14  rods  to  a  stake  standing  3  rods 
north  of  the  bridge  that  goes  over  the  River  and  this  road  is  laid  out  4 
rods  wide  on  the  north  side  of  the  bridge,  and  there  is  about  7  rods 
south  of  the  bridge  encluded,  or  laid  out  for  a  ford  way  or  watering 
place  so  that  this  road  is  laid  eleven  rods  wide  up  &  down  the  river,  or 
where  it  crosses  the  river;  then  from  the  last  mentioned  stake,  ran  N. 
36°  W.  26  rods  to  a  stake  and  stones  then  W.  18°  N.  42  rods  to  a  stake 
or  stump;  then  N.  15°  W.  10  rods  to  a  stake;  then  W.  17°  N.  22  rods 
to  a  great  stone  by  William  Haywards;  then  N.  3°  W.  26  rods  to  a  stone 
by  MaCordis  (M'Curdy's);  then  N.  11°  W.  15  rods  to  a  great  rock; 
then  N.  20°  E.  20  rods  to  a  heap  of  stones;  then  N.  37°  E.  12  rods  to  a 
corner;  then  N.  47°  E.  12  rods  to  a  corner;  then  N.  53°  E.  12  rods;  then 
N.  21°  E.  11  rods;  then  N.  7°  W.  20  rods;  then  N.  16°  W.  20  rods  to  a 
heap  of  stones;  then  N.  20°  W.  30  rods  to  a  stake  by  Barrons;  then  N. 
34°  W.  28  rods  to  a  great  rock;  then  N.  40°  W.  31  rods  to  a  stake;  then 
N.  45°  W.  22  rods  to  a  corner;  then  N.  22°  W.  12  rods  to  a  stake  by 
Whitney's  shop;  then  N.  8°  W.  38  rods;  then  N.  13°  E.  14  rods  to  a 
stake  near  Charles  Rice's;  then  N.  33°  W.  30  rods  to  a  corner;  then  N. 
38°  W.  22  rods  to  a  corner;  then  N.  14°  W.  8  rods;  then  N.  7°  E.  36 
rods  to  a  hemloc;  then  N.  26°  E.  12  rods;  then  N.  16°  30'  W.  22  rods 
to  a  hemloc;  then  N.  2°  E.  22  rods  to  Joshua  Darts;  then  N.  22°  E.  8 
rods;  then  N.  43°  E.  8  rods  to  Westmoreland  line. 

Then  N.  16°  E.  8  rods;  then  N.  12  rods;  then  N.  1°  W.  52  rods  to 
w'here  the  road  begins  to  be  six  rods  wide;  then  West  one  rod  to  a  stake; 
then  N.  1°  W.  103  rods  to  a  stake;  then  N.  20°  W.  45  rods  to  an  old  log; 
then  N.  26°  W.  17  rods  to  a  dry  hemloc;  then  N.  15°  W.  19  rods  to  a 
hemloc  with  stones  about  it;  then  N.  4°  W.  17  rods  to  a  stake  by  Mack's 


46  History  of  Surry 

old  hovel;  then  N.  10°  W.  50  rods  to  a  stake  by  Joshua  Fuller's  house; 
then  N.  11°  W.  68  rods  to  a  hemloc;  then  N.  34°  W.  45  rods  to  a  heap 
of  stones;  then  N.  32°  W.  19  rods  to  a  hemloc  tree  by  Skinners;  then 
N.  4°  30'  W.  36  rods  to  a  maple  stump  with  stones  on  it;  then  N.  4°  E. 
24  rods  to  a  hemloc  stump;  then  N.  19°  E.  16  rods  to  a  hemloc  tree 
against  Mr.  Daniels;  then  N.  1°  30'  W.  68  rods  to  a  heap  of  stones; 
then  N.  36°  W.  26  rods  to  a  corner;  then  N.  1°  30'  E.  13  rods  to  a 
pine  stump  with  stones  on  it;  then  N.  48°  W.  19  rods  to  a  heap  of  stones 
by  Moses  D.  Field's  house;  then  N.  15°  W.  20  rods  to  a  stump  with 
stones  on  it;  then  N.  20°  E.  25  rods  to  a  maple  tree;  then  N.  6°  E.  28 
rods  to  a  maple  tree;  then  N.  50°  E.  46  rods  to  a  stump  &  stones  on  it 
by  Thomas  Smith's;  then  N.  10°  W.  19  rods  to  a  beech;  then  N.  1°  W.  18 
rods  to  a  great  hemlock  tree;  then  N.  4°  W.  6  rods  to  a  maple;  then  N. 
8°  W.  20  rods  to  a  stone  by  Chapins;  then  N.  22°  E.  14  rods  to  a  maple; 
then  N.  30°  E.  9  rods;  then  N.  31°  E.  18  rods  to  a  maple;  then  N.  29° 
E.  16  rods;  then  N.  25°  E.  12  rods  to  a  beech  tree;  then  N.  9°  E.  10  rods 
to  a  maple;  then  N.  2°  E.  13  rods  to  a  heap  of  stones;  then  N.  6°  E.  6 
rods  to  a  hemloc;  then  N.  22  rods  to  a  maple  tree;  then  N.  12°  W.  12 
rods  to  a  beech;  then  N.  22°  W.  11  rods  to  a  maple;  then  N.  4°  E.  8  rods 
to  a  maple;  then  N.  5°  E.  11  rods  to  a  maple;  then  N.  2°  E.  8  rods  to  a 
maple;  then  N.  2°  W.  10  rods  to  a  beech  tree;  then  N.  19°  W.  13  rods 
to  a  maple;  then  N.  17°  W.  18  rods  to  a  great  hemloc  by  Joseph  Mack's 
field;  then  N.  11°  W.  11  rods  to  a  maple  tree  whei'e  the  six  rod  road 
ends;  then  N.  39°  W.  7  rods  to  a  maple  tree;  then  W.  34°  N.  15  rods 
to  a  beech  tree;  then  W.  31°  N.  10  rods  to  a  beech  tree;  then  W.  19°  N. 
13  rods  to  a  birch;  then  N.  38°  W.  8  rods  to  a  maple  tree;  then  N.  34° 
W.  13  rods  to  a  hemloc;  then  N.  51°  W.  8  rods  to  a  beech;  then  W.  20° 
N.  14  rods  to  a  great  birch;  then  W.  24°  N.  12  rods  to  a  beech  tree; 
then  N.  38°  W.  9  rods  to  a  heap  of  stones  in  the  town  line,  meaning  the 
line  between  Surry  and  Alstead,  &c. 

"N,  B.     It  may  be  "Surveyed  by  Jeremiah  Stiles,  * 

observed  that 

all  the  bounds  Obadiah  Willcox      1 

are  on  the  West  Peter  Hayward  I.  Committee." 

side  of  the  road,  &c.  Thomas  Harvey 

The  Gilsum  Road 

Just  when  the  road  was  first  built  up  the  river  to  Gilsum  is  unknown,  but 
some  time  prior  to  1773,  for  in  December  of  that  year  it  was: 

Voted  to  alter  the  road  from  Chapin's  mills  to  Gilsum  and  except  it  by 
the  River. 
In  1783  the  "Gilsum  road"  was  laid-out  again:     "Beginning  at  Gilsum  Line 
at  the  River  and  runs  as  the  River  runs  until  it  comes  to  about  seven  rods 


NOTE:  The  town  records  and  a  sheet  of  paper  giving  the  atiove  survey  do  not  agree  in 
two    or    three    jdaces ;    the    sheet    is    copied. 

*In  checking  over  this  survey  we  find  it  was  five  miles,  152  rods  from  Keene  line  to  the 
"crotch  of  the  road".  The  south  end  was  two  miles,  130  rods;  we  make  it  2  miles  123  rods. 
The  north  end  was  3  miles,  22  rods;  while  we  make  it  3  miles  29  rods.  The  total,  however, 
is  the  same. 


Roads,  Highways  and  Bridges  47 

west  of  the  falle  at  the  upper  end  of  Chapin's  mill-pond," — said  highway  to 
be  six  rods  wide  at  the  beginning  and  taper  off  to  four  rods. 
After  a  few  years  the  above  road  was  surveyed,  as  here  given : 

Plan  of  a  Highway  surveyed  Feb.  2,  1789  from  Gilsum  Line  to  the  High- 
way that  leads  thro  the  town  of  Surry,  one  &  %  miles  long; 

Beginning  at  the  line  between  Surry  and  Gilsum  on  a  flat  rock,  then 
N.  12°  30'  W.  17  rods  to  a  hemlock  tree;  then  N.  23°  W.  9  rods  &  V2 
to  a  hemlock  tree;  then  N.  55°  (or  35°)  W.  11  rods;  then  W.  33°  N.  3 
rods;  then  W.  10°  N.  19  rods  &  V2;  then  W.  1°  S.  9  &  V2  rods;  then 
W.  8°  S.  3  &  1/2  ?  rods;  then  W.  28°  S.  9  &  V2  rods;  then  S.  43°  W.  12 
rods;  then  W.  36°  S.  19  rods;  then  W.  24°  S.  28  rods;  then  W.  11°  S.  28 
rods;  then  W.  20°  S.  10  rods;  then  W.  10°  S.  13  rods;  then  W.  12°  N.  22 
rods;  then  W.  17°  N.  49  ?  rods;  then  W.  3°  N.  36  rods;  then  W.  15°  S.  19 
rods;  then  W.  15°  S.  10  rods;  then  W.  8°  S.  27  rods;  then  W.  11°  N.  4 
&  1/2  rods;  then  N.  41°  W.  8  rods;  then  N.  27°  W.  10  rods;  then  N.  16° 
W.  18  rods;  then  N.  27°  W.  44  rods;  then  W.  30°  N.  8  rods;  then  W.  3° 
S.  12  rods;  then  W.  20°  N.  21  &  h^  rods  to  the  Highway  that  leads 
throu  the  town  of  Surry.  Said  road  is  3  rods  wide,;  the  survey  is  taken 
on  the  North  side  of  Sd  road. 

Sylvaneus  Hayward,         Surveyor. 

Nov.  9,  1869  Voted  to  layout  and  change  the  Gilsum  road  owing  to  the  re- 
cent freshet. 

The  Crane  Road 

This  road  was  surveyed  and  accepted  by  the  town  in  1789,  and  ran  from 
the  Gilsum  road  up  the  hill  to  Abiah  Crane's  buildings, — the  Jackson  Reed 
farm.     This  road  was  laid  out  two  rods  wide. 

The  Thompson  Road 

On  Sept.  7,  1799  this  road  was  surveyed  from  Samuel  Hills  to  Alstead  line 
and  joined  a  road  "lain  out  by  the  Selectmen  of  Alstead."     It  began, 

"On  the  east  side  of  the  old  road  at  a  birch  tree  on  the  bank  of  the 
brook,  and  ran  North  17°  E.  40  rods  to  a  maple  marked;  thence  N.  21° 
E.  8  rods  to  a  butternut  tree  marked;  thence  N.  7°  E.  20  rods  to  Al- 
stead line  in  Samuel  Thompson's  land"  to  the  line  of  the  road  in  Al- 
stead. 

Mr.  Hodgkins  now  lives  on  the  Samuel  Hills  place  and  the  late  Charles  W. 
Reed  lived  on  the  old  farm  of  Dr.  Samuel  Thompson.  Prior  to  1799  the  road 
up  this  valley  terminated  at  the  Thompson  buildings  which  at  that  time  stood 
in  the  field  some  ten  rods  east  of  the  present  barns  on  this  farm. 

Tradition  says  a  "bridle  path"  ran  northeasterly,  and  not  far  from  the 
"falls  on  Alstead  hills,"  united  with  the  highway  which  ran  on  the  highland 
easterly  of  this  valley  to  Alstead  Center. 

The  Ware  Road 
In   1789   a   road  was   surveyed  from   the    Gilsum   road   to    Comfort   Ware's 


48  History  of  Surry 

dwelling  house — now  known  as  the  John  Dustin  place.  His  house- was  only  a 
few  rods  from  Gilsum  line;  the  road  came  down  the  hill  and  intersected  the 
river  road  at  mouth  of  Cannon  brook,  and  was  two  rods  wide. 

The  Kingsbury  Road 

This  joined  the  Ware  road,  ran  northward  past  James  Kingsbury's  house 
near  the  extreme  north-east  corner  of  the  town,  and  then  in  a  northwesterly 
course  to  Deacon  David  Reed's  house  in  edge  of  Alstead.  This  road  was  laid 
out  about  1792. 

The  Reed  Road 

Prior  to  1790  this  was  the  main  and  direct  highway  from  Surry  to  Alstead 
Center.  From  what  can  be  gleaned  from  the  records  and  tradition,  it  ap- 
pears that  it  was  laid  out  as  early  as  1778;  it  began  on  the -north  side  of  the 
Gilsum  road  at  the  corner  of  the  Crane  (Jackson  Reed)  road  and  ran  north- 
erly up  thru  the  pasture,  west  of  the  Asa  Wilcox,  Sr.  house  site,  then  norther- 
ly past  John  Redding's  place  (Nathan  D.  Reed),  and  to  Deacon  David  Reed's 
house  in  edge  of  Alstead.  In  1783  the  south  end  was  changed,  beginning  near 
"Butlers  Rock"  ran  east  over  Thompson's  brook  then  north-easterly  up  the 
hill  where  it  intersected  the  earlier  road,  on  the  side  hill  east  of  the  ftolbrook 
tavern.     This  road  was  two  rods  wide. 

Feb.  20,  1789  another  survey  was  made  with  probably  some  slight  altera- 
tions, at  which  time  it  began  at  "a  stake  and  stones  a  little  North  of  where 
Mr.  John  Hitchcock  formerly  had  a  tann  house."  Mar.  8,  1898  the  town 
voted  to  discontinue  the  Reed  road,  subject  to  gate  and  bars. 

The  Wilcox  Road,  Also  Part  of  Reed  Road 

The  survey  of  this  road  was  made  at  the  same  time  as  the  South  end  of  the 
Reed  road — in  1778,  and  is  so  interwoven  with  the  lay-out  of  the  latter  road, 
that  a  description  of  both  are  given:  Beginning  at  Thompson's  brook,  east- 
erly thru  Chapin's  land  (on  or  near  Gilsum  road)  by  marked  trees  to  Abiah 
Crane's  land,  then  crossing  Crane's  and  land  of  Josiah  Cheney's  in  a  north- 
easterly course  by  marked  trees  to  Asa  Willcox's  land,  turning  east  by  marked 
trees  in  the  line  between  Sd  Willcox  and  sd  Crane's  land  until  it  comes  to 
Abijah  Bentons  corner. 

Said  highway  is  laid  out  three  rods  wide,  and  on  said  Willcox's  land. 

The  Smith  Road 

June  20,  1799  a  pent  road  was  laid  out  from  Josiah  Hendee's  dwelling  (the 
plastered)  house  on  Gilsum  road  east,  then  north  up  Benton  (later  called  the 
Cannon)  brook,  then  crossing  land  of  Jesse  Jaquith  to  Stephen  Smith's,  where 
Abijah  Benton  formerly  lived. 

The  Streeter  Road 

When  this  road  was  originally  laid  out  is  uncertain,  though  probably  about 
1780.  In  1794  a  survey  was  made  from  "the  County  road  near  Thomas 
Smith's  barn"  to  the  Walpole  line  at  which  time  it  was  made  two  rods  wide. 


Roads,  Highways  and  Bridges  49 

This  remained  an  open  and  public  highway  until  the  great  freshet  of  1869, 
when  owing  to  the  expense  of  repairing  the  same,  it  was  discontinued  by  a 
vote  at  a  town  meeting  March  8,  1870. 

The  Delevan  Road 

The  town  accepted  this  road  March  1786;  it  ran  from  near  the  Henry 
Scovell  place  on  Streeter  road  north-west  to  the  old  Marvin  road,  and  was 
not  in  use  many  years.  In  1798  the  town  paid  Henry  Scovell  20  shillings  for 
land  damage,  on  account  of  this  road. 

The  Marvin  Road 

Remains  of  this  road  can  still  be  seen  in  the  pasture  north  of  the  Streeter 
road.  It  was  the  old  road  from  Walpole  to  Alstead  through  Surry  and  was 
opened  probably  as  early  as  1780. 

The  Proctor  Road 

This  road  crosses  the  northwest  corner  of  the  town  from  Walpole  to  Al- 
stead; when  first  opened  is  unknown,  but  in  1836  a  survey  was  made. 
March  11,  1862,  Voted  to  discontinue  the  "Proctor  road." 

The  Carpenter  Road 

June  9,  1794  this  road  was  surveyed,  though  a  road  covering  at  least  a  por- 
tion of  this  highway  was  traveled  as  early  as  1771.  A  short  branch  termin- 
ated at  the  Aaron  Carpenter  place.  There  was  a  bridle  path,  or  cart  road 
which  ran  from  this  road  to  the  Merriam  farm  in  Walpole— see  map. 

The  west  end  of  this  road  from  Syl  Smith's  to  Z.  Streeters  was  laid  out  in 
1805  and  was  "to  be  a  Pent  road  for  the  present." 

In  1868  Voted  "to  pass  over"  an  Art.  to  Discontinue  the  Carpenter  road. 
March  8,  1887;  Voted  to  discontinue  this  road. 

The  Perkins  Road 

William  Perkins  settled  here  1794  and  a  road  was  probably  laid  out  to  his 
buildings  within  a  few  years.  The  one  from  the  Proctor  road  was  surveyed 
in  1836.  There  was  a  bridle  path  or  cart  road  which  the  family  used  to  some 
extent  prior  to  1850  which  started  in  the  door-yard  at  the  Holbrook  tavern 
and  ran  up  the  hill  through  the  fields. 

Jan.  30,  1747,  Voted  to  discontinue  the  road  from  Walpole  to  Wm.  Perkins 
lane,  so-called. 

March  11,  1862,  Voted  to  discontinue  the  Perkins  road. 

The  Obadiah  Willcox,  Jr.  Road 

Ran  from  near  the  sugar-house  on  the  "Holly  Farm"  up  west  through  the 
pasture  and  wood  lot  to  where  Obadiah  Jr.  formerly  lived.  No  record  of  a 
lay-out,  or  discontinuance  of  this  road  has  been  found;  the  supposition  is  that 
it  never  was  other  than  a  private  way  to  the  buildings  on  the  two  farms. 

The  Joslin  Road 
This  was  known  as  the  "Harvey  road"  until  1815,  after  Capt.  Thomas  Har- 


50  History  of  Surry 

vey  the  first  settler  in  that  part  of  the  town.  The  date  when  it  was  first  laid 
out  is  unknown,  but  it  was  probably  before  1770.  In  1777,  3,000  soldiers 
marched  over  this  road  on  their  way  to  the  battle  of  Bennington. 

Moses  Hale  surveyed  it  from  the  village  to  Walpole  line.  It  varied  in 
width,  from  two  to  four  rods  wide  at  that  time.  It  was  voted,  1793,  "to  reduce 
the  Highway  so  far  as  it  goes  through  Dellances  land  west  of  the  meeting 
house  towards  Capt.  T.  Harvey's  and  make  the  road  two  rods  wide,  and  to 
receive  of  said  Dellance  in  lieu  thereof  a  piece  in  addition  to  the  burying 
yard  by  said  meeting  house.     The  following  is   Hale's  Survey: 

Surry,  June  3,  1793.     Survey  from  Surry  Village  to  Walpole  town  line; 

Beginning  at  the  Southeast  corner  of  '-'Adonijah  Marvin's  dwelling 
house;  then  ran  W.  6°  N.  30  rods — 8  links;  then  W.  13°  N.  9  rods  to  an 
elm  tree;  W.  1°  N.  22  rods;  W.  46°  S.  9.  &  1/2  rods;  W.  27°  N.  60  rods. 

This  part  of  the  road  is  to  be  two  rods  wide.  Then  the  road  is  to  be 
two  &  1/2  rods  wide.  Then  W.  41°  N.  20  rods;  N.  39"  W.  10  rods;  W. 
41°  N.  8  rods;  W.  27°  N.  8  &  1/2  rods;  W.  22°  N.  28  rods;  W. 
35°  N.  7  rods;  W.  8°  N.  12  rods;  N.  34°  W.  10  rods;  W.  34°  N.  6  rods; 
W.  21  ?°  S.  11  rods  to  Mr.  Allen's  line,  then  the  Highway  is  to  be  four 
rods  wide  to  the  Walpole  line. 

Then  S.  4°  W.  20  rods;  S.  11°  W.  6  rods;  S.  40°  W.  10  rods;  W.  21° 
S.  64  rods;  S.  46°  W.  12  rods;  S.  37°  W.  12  rods;  W.  20°  S.  12  rods;  W. 
9°  S.  26  rods  to  Capt.  Harvey's  house.  Then,  W.  5°  S.  42  rods;  W.  10° 
N.  20  rods;  N.  29°  W.  20  rods;  N.  36°  W.  41  rods;  N.  31°  W.  50  rods  to 
Walpole  line  to  a  stake  and  stones  by  John  Merriam's  land  on  the  North 
side  of  the  Road. 

The  above  survey  is  on  the  North  side  of  the  Road,  and  we  propose  it 
two  rods  wide  to  the  Bound  mentioned  in  the  survey,  then  two  and  half 
rods  wide  to  the  West  line  of  Delevan  Dellance's  land,  except  in  the  fol- 
lowing, viz. — the  South  line  to  run  West  6°  north  61  rods  from  the  first 
station  that  there  may  be  room  to  cross  the  Brook,  then  3  rods  wide  ten 
rods  up  the  hill,  and  from  Delance's  West  line  to  Walpole  line  to  be  4 
rods  wide. 

The  Fox-Lot  Roap 

Nearly  mid-way  between  the  Joslin  and  Carpenter  roads  is  a  50  acre  tract 
of  pasture  land  once  owned  by  Oliver  Fox  of  Fitchburg,  Mass.  A  bridle  path, 
or  cross-road  was  built  between  the  two  above  roads  prior  to  1840  which  not 
only  crossed  the  Fox  lot,  but  was  used  by  the  inhabitants  to  some  extent  for 
many  years.     This  was  never  a  "laid  out  road." 

The  Russell  Road 

This  road  runs  from  near  Edward  H.  Joslin's  to  Alonzo  F.  Wilbur's.  It 
was  laid  out  on  May  12,  1779,  beginning  at  the  Main  road  that  leads  by  Capt. 
Harvey's  and  two  rods  west  of  his  barn,  then  running  south  by  the  east  side 
of  said  Harvey's  house,  then  on  the  east  side  of  a  wall  to  the  southeast  corner 
of  his  plow  field,  then  near  the  same  course,  east  of  "a  great  white  rock  near 


^Adoni.iah    Marvin's    linuse    stood    on    or    near    where    Eihvard    M.    Britten    livesi. 


Roads,  Highways  and  Bridges  51 

the  brook"  theii  to  a  hemlock  tree  across  the  brook,  this  road  to  be  two  rods 
wide.  Then  turning  southwesterly  it  runs  to  Ruf us  Smith's  land,  this  por- 
tion to  be  three  rods  wide.  Then  running  west  on  said  Smith's  land  about 
46  rods  to  the  North-east  corner  of  William  Russell's  land,  then  running  same 
course  on  Russell's  land  about  14  rods  beyond  the  southeast  cox'ner  of  Walpole, 
where  it  comes  "to  a  peak  at  Sd  corner."  This  portion  to  be  two  rods  wide. 
Said  highway  to  be  and  I'emain  a  "Pent-^way"  for  the  term  of  three  years. 

The  Asahel  Harvey  Road 

On  June  20,  1799  a  public  road  was  laid  out  from  land  of  John  Brockway's 
(near  No.  183)  to  Asahel  Harvey's.  In  1811  the  town  voted  to  grant  a  bridge 
over  Asahel  Harvey's  mill-pond.  Oct.  1,  1811  the  town  paid  Jonathan  Harvey 
$30.00  for  building  said  bridge.  June  3,  1817,  voted  to  discontinue  the  road. 
March  1826  Ichabod  Ballou  and  others  petitioned  the  town  that  this  be  made  a 
public  highway — not  granted.  It  was  in  use,  however,  especially  in  winter, 
until  after  1850.     The  bridge  where  it  crossed  the  brook  was  high  in  the  air. 

The  Main  Road  Resurveyed,  March  26,  1803 

We  "then  continued  the  old  road  to  the  north  gate  post  at  Isaac  Monroe's 
barnyard  (now  O.  B.  Deane's — No.  33)  and  ran  north  twelve  degs  east  forty 
rods  to  John  Brockways  welcrotch,  the  line  there  to  be  the  west  line  of  the 
road."  The  "welcrotch"  mentioned,  without  doubt  refers  to  a  well  sweep,  or 
Old  Oaken  Bucket,  at  the  well  which  is  nearly  opposite  George  A.  Hall's 
dwelling  house,  No.  34.     The  well  is  35  feet  deep  and  still  in  use. 

No  complete  history  of  all  old  roads  and  highway's  in  the  west  part  of 
Surry,  adjacent  to  Westmoreland  can  now  be  given,  without  much  time  and 
research.  Often  the  records  are  obscure,  then  again  the  land  in  places  has 
since  been  cultivated,  thereby  obliterating  all  trace  of  former  location. 

According  to  the  records  there  have  been  three  "trunk  lines" — at  least  a 
portion  of  the  way — which  crossed  this  part  of  the  town  from  Keene  to  Wal- 
pole, viz.  the  "Old  County  road,"  the  "New  County  road,"  and  the  "Pollard 
road."  The  two  latter,  at  least,  have  been  a  portion  of  the  "3rd  New  Hamp- 
shire Turnpike"  road. 

The  Old  County  Road 

As  early  as  "June  ye  24,  1780"  this  road  is  mentioned — "that  leads  from 
Keene  to  Walpole."  From  the  latter  town  it  crossed  the  highland  through  the 
very  northeast  corner  of  Westmoreland,  then  entered  Surry,  near  where 
Philip  Thomas,  Jr.  lived  in  1858,  continuing  southeast  past  the  old  Town 
Farm  and  several  rods  east  of  the  southwest  cemetery  to  the  foot  of  the  first 
hill  where  it  bore  off,  a  little  to  the  west  of  and  parallel  to  the  present  road; 
here  the  old  road  can  still  be  followed  through  the  pasture;  then  crossing  the 
field  a  few  rods  west  of  Walter  H.  Britton's  barns,  it  entered  the  pi-esent 
highway  20  or  25  rods  south  of  said  Britton's  buildings,  then  ran  in  the 
present  road  until  at  the  dwelling  house  of  the  late  George  Lewis  Britton, 
where  it  bore  to  the  west  crossing  his  barn-yard,  then  on  south  through  the 
field  and  down  the  hill  through  the  wood-lot  parallel  to  and  quite  near  the 
present  highway  which  it  entered  a  little  above  the  corner  at  the  John  Cole 


52  History  of  Surry 

place,  continuing  south  past  Cole's  into  Keene  where  it  entered  the  present 
road  at  the  old  "Goodnow  tavern,"  where  the  widow  of  Emerson  A.  Winches- 
ter now  lives   (1919). 

That  portion  from  John  Cole's  to  Keene  line  was  discontinued  about  1825. 
March  12,  1875,  voted  to  discontinue  that  part  of  the  Old  County  road  from 
Westmoreland  line,  past  the  Philip  Thomas,  Jr.  place  (No.  192)  to  near  the 
stone  bridge  on  the  Westmoreland  road. 

In  1780  a  road  was  laid  out  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  town,  beginning  At 
a  red  oak  tree  by  the  road  that  leads  from  Keene  to  Walpole,  then  running 
as  the  trees  are  marked  to  Roger  Conant's  house.  Said  road  is  laid  out  on  the 
north  side  of  the  marked  trees. 

May  27,  1783,  Voted  to  accept  three  roads  laid  out  in  the  west  part  of 
Surry;  No.  1,  Beginning  at  Westmoreland  line  by  Asa  Hancock's  land,  then 
runs  Northeasterly  until  it  comes  unto  the  corner  of  Abraham  Smith's  land, 
then  Northerly  unto  the  Highway  that  leads  from  Keene  to  Walpole. 

No.  2,  Beginning  at  Roger  Conant's  land,  then  runs  Westerly  unto  West- 
moreland line. 

No.  3,  Also  a  road  from  the  Main  road  by  Phillip  Britton's  land  south  unto 
William  Britton's  land. 

No.  1,  was  probably  the  present  Westmoreland  road,  southwest  from  near 
the  old  Town  Farm. 

No.  2,  There  is  some  reason  to  believe  this  was  the  road  from  No.  211  to  No. 
112,  in  edge  of  Westmoreland. 

No.  3  was  the  road  west  from  the  late  George  L.  Britton's  buildings  to  the 
Foster  place  and  on  into  Westmoreland.  In  March  1856,  Voted  to  discontinue 
that  part  of  the  highway  leading  from  Hiram  (Geo.  L.)  Britton's  to  the 
Frank  Foster  place. 

June  ye  1780,  Laid  out  a  road  beginning  at  the  end  of  a  road  near  Dr.  Noah 
Fuller's  dwelling  house  in  Westmoreland,  then  running  southeasterly  to  the 
road  leading  from  Keene  to  Walpole  near  Jesse  Dasson's  house,  then  northerly 
on  land  of  Oliver  Wright,  Col.  Bellows,  Mr.  Russell  and  Ezra  Davis  to  the 
road  that  leads  to  Capt.  Thomas  Harvey's.  The  exact  location  of  this  road 
is  not  now  known,  though  it  probably  began  at  the  end  of  what  is  now  known 
as  "The  London  road"  in  Westmoreland  and  ran  in  the  same  general  course 
as  now,  to  where  Alonzo  F.  Wilbur  now  lives. 

The  New  County  Road 

This  road  was  laid  out  in  1795  by  the  county  committee.  At  a  special  town 
meeting  held  Dec.  15,  of  that  year  it  was  voted  to  oppose  a  part  of  the  new 
road  where  it  took  "good  land"  of  Stephen  Bowker,  Moses  Brown,  Mr.  Das- 
sance,  Allen  and  Wright,  although  there  was  no  opposition  to  the  taking  of 
the  land  of  Benjamin  Merrifield.  A  portion  of  the  old  road  as  "it  is  now 
traveled"  was  favored. 

March  19,  1798  Voted  to  "View  the  new  County  road,"  also  to  exchange  the 
old  road  which  runs  through  the  land  of  Moses  Brown  for  the  new  County 
road.  This  road  was  built  in  1797  &  '98,  and  entered  Surry  direct  from  Wal- 
pole, "then  passed  where  Tyler  Bissell  (No.  190)  was  living  1858,  on  in  a 
southerly  course  a  few  rods  east  of  the  old  town  farm,  and  entered  the  Old 


Roads,  Highways  and  Bridges  53 

County  road  at  the  foot  of  hill  south  of  the  cemetery.  For  nearly  25  years 
this  highway  served  the  public  and  after  the  incorporation  of  the  Third  New 
Hampshire  Turnpike  in  1799,  it  became  an  important  stage  route  between 
Boston  and  Montreal  via.  New  Ipswich,  Jaffrey,  Marlboro  and  Keene  to  Wal- 
pole,  Bellows  Falls,  Rutland  and  Burlington.  This  road  was  discontinued  as 
a  "turnpike"  in  1822,  and  became  a  town  road. 

Nov.  3,  1868  it  was  Voted  to  discontinue  that  part  of  this  highway  from 
Walpole  line,  past  the  old  Tyler  Bissell  place  to  near  the  town  farm. 

March  15,  1819  Voted  to  oppose  the  new  contemplated  road  in  west  part  of 
the  town  from  Keene  to  Walpole. 

The  Pollard  Road 

Nov.  4,  1823.  Voted  to  open  and  make  the  New  County  road,  or  the  Pol- 
lard road,  so-called.     An  old  paper  describes  this  route  as : 

"Beginning  at  a  popular  tree  standing  on  the  south  side  of  the  Third 
N.  H.  Turnpike  road  about  20  rods  southeasterly  of  Col.  Caleb  Bellows 
dwelling  house  in  said  Walpole  and  thence  keeping  southerly  of  said 
Turnpike  road  to  near  the  east  line  of  Capt.  Jonas  Fay's  land  and  thence 
near  the  Whipple  brook,  so-called,  to  the  said  Turnpike  road  near  the 
dwelling  house  of  Edward  P.  Rollins,  thence  southerly  to  near  the 
dwelling  house  of  Joseph  Mason,  Jr.,  or  in  such  other  route  or  tract  as 
may  be  most  advisable  from  said  Fay's  land  to  near  said  Mason's  dwel- 
ling house,  thence  easterly  across  said  Turnpike  road  to  Walpole  line 
near  the  dwelling  house  of  Jonas  Pollard  in  Surry,  thence  southerly 
through  a  part  of  said  Surry,  through  the  notch,  so-called  to  Keene  line 
in  such  route  or  track  as  may  be  deemed  the  most  convenient,  thence 
through  a  part  of  said  Keene,  either  to  intersect  the  old  Turnpike,  at  or 
near  Goodnow's  tavern  (widow  Winchester's)  or  to  the  south  and  east 
of  said  tavern,  as  may  be  thought  most  useful  for  the  public." 

The  above  road  was  built  and  those  living  in  Surry  who  received  a  land 
damage  thereby  were: 


Jonas  Pollard 

$  15.00 

Philip  Thomas 

3.00 

David  Allen 

.25 

Levi  Hancock 

.10 

Benj.  Carpenter,  Jr. 

30.00 

Benj.  Carpenter 

20.00 

Royal  Watkins 

60.00 

Dated  at  Charlestown,  N.  H. 

Nov.  10,  1824. 
From  the  Office  of 
George  Olcott  to 
Total  S128.35  Francis  Holbrook,  of  Surry. 

Jonas  Pollard  took  the  job  of  building  a  large  part  of  this  road,  in  Surry, 
from  which  it  became  generally  known  as  the  "Pollard  road,"  and  though 
somewhat  hilly,  is  the  most  direct  route  from  Keene  to  Walpole  village.  He 
soon  after  opened  a  tavern  at  his  dwelling  house,  sometimes  called  "The  Half- 
way-house," (the  present  Alonzo  F.  Wilbur  place).  This  road  cost  more  than 
$500. 

In  1810  a  short  road  19  V^  rods  long  was  laid  out  southwest  from  the  "stone 


54  History  of  Surry 

bridge"  to  join  the  Old  County  road  with  the  road  to  Levi  Hancock's  house, 
adjacent  to  the  first  school-house  in  the  S.  W.  district. 

The  Summit  Road 

In  1833.  Voted  to  raise  $400.00  to  build  a  new  road  laid  out  by  a  commit- 
tee from  the  Court,  to  run  from  Keene  to  Westmoreland  and  which  crossed 
to  southeast  corner  of  Surry.  Since  the  railroad  was  built,  this  has  been 
known  as  the  "Summit  road."  From  1834  until  1844,  Elijah  Mason  assumed 
all  care  of  this  road  for  the  sum  of  |10.00  per  year  and  while  the  town  derived 
absolutely  no  benefit  whatever  it  continued  to  keep  the  same  in  repair  until 
Nov.  5,  1878  when  it  was  voted  to  petition  the  superior  court  for  the  county 
to  assume  all  care  and  responsibility  of  this  road. 

March  25  1799.  Voted  to  continue  the  old  road  from  J.  Cheever  Fowler's  to 
Widow  Mary  Dassance  and  to  pay  damages.  The  exact  location  of  this  road 
is  unknown,  as  is  also  the  following  which  was  laid  out  in  1784  by  William 
Barron  and  Nathan  Hayward,  which  ran  between  Benjamin  Carpenter's  and 
Capt.  Sanger's  and  began  at  a  beech  tree  north  of  the  highway  leading  from 
Keene  to  Walpole,  thence  northerly  to  corner  of  said  Carpenter's  and  William 
Russell,  J!r.  land  to  Capt.  Sanger's  land.     Road  to  be  two  rods  wide. 

The  old  County  road  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  town  from  near  the  old 
town  farm  to  the  foot  of  the  hill  near  the  John  Cole  place  was  changed  in 
1826  to  its  present  location,  as  here  given: 

"Began  at  a  stake  and  stones  in  Levi  Hancock's  pasture  on  the  road 
leading  from  Jonas  Pollard's  to  David  Allen's,  running  S.  54°  W.  26 
rods;  then  S.  41°  34  rods;  then  S.  6°  E.  102  rods;  on  the  old  Turn- 

pike, on  the  old  road  S.  8°  W.  36  rods;  then  S.  8°  E.  15  rods;  then  S. 
26°  E.  76  rods  to  the  old  Turnpike;  then  S.  20°  E.  56  rods;  then  S.  10° 
E.  80  rods  to  the  old  Turnpike;  than  S.  27°  E.  80  rods;  then  S.  14°  E. 
76  rods  to  the  foot  of  Mine  Hill. 
Surry  May  18,  1826.  Laid  out  three  rods  wide." 

The  Pond  Road 

The  eai'ly  records  speak  of  this  as  "The  Gilbert  road,"  after  Ebenezer  Gil- 
bert who  settled  near  this  road  in  1786  and  near  where  Luman  Pond  settled 
before  1850.  It  was  known  as  "The  Pond  road"  from  about  that  time  until  a 
few  years  ago,  then  it  came  to  be  known  as  "Cottage  street." 

It  is  hardly  pi'obable  the  original  road  ran  in  the  same  place  as  now  and  in 
fact  one  change  is  known  to  have  been  made  about  1835  (?)  150  rods  or  so 
from  the  end  in  Surry  valley  where  the  road  was  moved  a  few  rods  farther 
to  the  west  to  get  a  better  grade. 

The  earliest  record  found  giving  some  evidence  of  this  road  is: 

Mar.  26,  1787;  Voted,  that  a  petition  offered  by  Silvanus  Hayward  to 
have  the  privilege  of  shutting  up  a  road  at  the  Towns  pleasure,  which 
runs  Eighty  rods  from  the  Main  road  west  thru  Sd  Hayward's  land. 

At  a  Town  Meeting  held  March  13,  1788; 

Voted  to  accept  a  Highway  from  William  Russell,  Jr.  to  Silvanus  Hay- 


Roads,  Highways  and  Bridges  55 

ward's  as  in  the  survey.  Also  Voted,  to  re-consider  the  vote  taken  last 
year  Granting  Silvanus  Hayward  the  privelege  of  a  road  west  from  the 
main  road  by  said  Hayward's  dwelling  house. 

The  following-  is  a  lay-out  of  a  highway  made  Dec.  27,  1787  which  began 
near  Frederick  R.  Crane's  buildings : 

Beginning  at  the  corner  between  Benjamin  Carpenter,  Jr.  and  Wil- 
liam Russell,  Jr.  then  running  North  two  rods  wide,  one  half  on  Sd 
Carpenters  land  and  one  half  on  Sd  Russells  land  to  a  poplar  tree 
marked  on  the  north  side;  thence  Easterly  on  Sd  Carpenters  land  to 
Ebenezer  Gilberts  land;  then  Easterly  by  marked  trees  to  Col.  Hunts 
land;  then  thru  the  same  to  Col.  Jonathan  Smith,  Jr.  land;  thence  to 
Silvanus  Haywards,  in  a  North-easterly  course  to  a  highway  formerly 
laid  out. 

On  Dec.  25,  1807  this  road  was  again  laid  out  and  ran  from  the  John  Cole 
place  on  the  old  County  road  by  old  Mr.  Benjamin  Carpenter,  Jr.  (now  the 
Mrs.  S.  H.  Clement's)  place  to  Daniel  Hayward's  on  the  Great  road.  This 
road  was  three  rods  wide  and  two  miles  and  62  rods  long. 

After  the  Pollard  road  was  built  it  was  voted  March  8,  1825  "to  pass  over" 
an  article  in  the  warrant  to  throw  up  the  old  road  from  Benjamin  Carpenter, 
Jr.  to  the  Royal  Watkins  road,  near  the  old  Cole  place.  The  exact  time  this 
road  was  discontinued  has  not  been  ascertained.  It  entered  the  present  high- 
way west  of  F.  R.  Crane's  dwelling  house  and  crossed  the  door-yard  east  of 
the  Mrs.  S.  H.  Clement's  house. 

The  Wilbur  Road 

On  Oct.  3,  1807  this  road  was  surveyed  from  the  north  side  of  the  school 
house  on  the  Great  road  near  Maj.  Nathan  Hayward's  (now  Frank  E.  Ellis) 
by  Hercules  Hayward's  (the  old  Barney  Wilbur)  place,  to  the  old  County 
road  at  the  John  Cole  place.  To  be  three  rods  wide,  and  was  one  mile  and 
237  rods  long.  No  earlier  layout  has  been  found  of  this  road,  yet  there  is  rea- 
son to  assume  it  was  traveled  to  some  extent  prior  to  1800;  neither  can  we 
ascertain  the  date  at  which  the  east  end  of  this  road  was  discontinued.  The 
west  end  from  the  Wilbur  house  to  the  highway  was  in  use  until  after  1860. 

The   Stimpson   Bridle   Path 
This  ran  from  near  the  John  Cole  place  southwesterly  to  the  bridge  over 
the  railroad  at  the   Summit.     An  old   Bridle   path,   or   cart  road,   called  the 
Stimpson  road.     It  was  never  a  laid  out  road,  although  used  as  a  cross-road 
as  early  as  1825. 

The  Cheshire  Turnpike 

On  June  8,  1804  a  petition  by  Simeon  Olcott  Esq.  of  Charlestown  and  others 
for  a  turnpike  road  from  the  mouth  of  the  Black  river  in  Springfield,  Vt., 
through  Charlestown,  Langdon,  Drewsville,  Alstead,  Surry  to  Keene  was 
"committed"  in  the  New  Hampshire  Legislature.  — K.  S. 

The  Cheshire  Turnpike  was  incorporated,  Dec.  13,  1804,  it  ran  up  Surry 
valley.  On  or  about  Aug.  1,  1841  the  gates  on  the  Cheshire  turnpike  were 
thrown  open  and  it  became  a  "free  road."  The  toviTi  borrowed  $600.00  of 
Capt.  Francis  Holbrook  to  pay  off  the  proprietors  for  Surry's  interest. — K.  S. 


56 


History  of  Surry 


The  Surry  West  Road 

'*  In  1770  a  highway  was  laid  out  from  the  Four  Corners  in  Keene  to  Surry 
town  line,  and  probably  soon  after  was  continued  to  near  the  dwelling  house 
of  the  late  Edmond  Woodward  on  the  Great  road.  Leaving  the  present  high- 
way where  W.  F.  Gate's  dwelling  house  now  stands  in  Keene,  it  bore  north- 
westerly and  after  passing  three  dwellings  came  out  at  the  old  Daniel  Darling 
(the  late  G.  D.  Gillis')  buildings.  Passing  northerly  on  the  west  side  of  this 
house,  it  entered  the  pasture,  then  northeast  by  another  house  site  and  a 
large  rock  where  the  South  Toll  Gate  formerly  hung;  continuing  into  Surry; 
thence  noi'th,  then  more  westerly  around  west  of  the  mill  pond  to  the  Wilbur 
road;  thence  east  on  this  road  to  the  Great  Road, — a  few  rods  north  of 
F.  E.  Ellis'  barn. 

The  town  changed  the  above  road  in  1789;  running  north  on  the  west  line 
of  Peter  Hayward's  farm,  then  northeast  "by  the  Widow  (Sarah)  Hayward 
&  Sarel  Hayward  saw  mill,"  crossing  their  mill-dam  thence  northerly,  pass- 
ing on  the  east  side  of  their  house  to  the  present  highway. 

Surry,  February  2,  1789.  Silv.  Hayward,  Surveyor. 

June  19,  1804  this  road  was  re-laid  by  the  selectmen  from  the  mill-dam  to 
the  Great  road,  thus : 

Beginning  at  the  south-west  corner  of  Nathan  Hayward's  Milldam,  then 
ran  N.  1"  E.  50  rods  to  the  south-west  corner  of  Nathan  Hayward's 
House,  then  N.  19"  E.  15  rods  to  the  Great  Road.  This  road  was  two 
rods  wide  except  at  the  buildings  where  it  is  only  1%   rods. 

On  May  8,  1801  &  Nov.  5,  1805  the  town  of  Keene  laid  out  the  present  high- 
way from  W.  F.  Gates  house  northward  thru  "Nigger  Hollow"  to  Surry  town 
line,  and  this  was  instrumental  in  a  petition  for  a  "bridle  road,"  thus: 

Surry,  Sept.  9,  1806.  For  the  accommodation  of  the  inhabitants  in  this 
vicinity  the  following  request  was  made,  "that  the  Town  would  grant 
them  a  Bridle  road  from  Major  Nathan  Haywards  Mill-dam  to  meet 
the  road  which  the  Selectmen  of  Keene  laid  out  last  Autumn  near 
Nathan  Carpenter's,"  etc.  Signed  by; 


Dr.  Philip  Monroe 
Thomas  Redding 
Amasa  Carpenter 
Hercules  Hayward 
Benj.  Carpenter 
Oliver  Wright 
John  Norris 
Samuel  Sawyer 
Moses    Haselton 
Aaron    Estabrook 
Jonathan   Smith 

Nov.  15,  1807.     Voted  to  lay 
three  rods  wide,  and  the  same 


Nathan  Hayward 
Eliphalet  Dort 
John  Cole 
Levi   Hancock 
Eli  Dort 
Elizar  Wright 
Abner  Skinner 
Phinehas  Wheelock,  Jr. 
Samuel  Allen 
Abijah    Finney 
Daniel    Hayward 

out  the  road  in  the  South  part  of  the  town 
to  be  finished  and  opened  by  Nov.  1,  1808. 


Jonathan  Skinner 
John    McCurdy 
John  Thayer 
Charles  Hayward 
Erastus  Benton 
Abijah    Benton 
Gaylord  Wilcox 
James   McCurdy 
Elijah   Norris 
Benjamin   Smith 
Aaron  Hayward 


*Aiiiiual    Report  of  City  of  Keene  for   1913. 


Roads,  Highways  and  Bridges  57 

As  there  is  no  reference  to  this  being  made  a  "Bridle  road"  after  the  above 
"petition,"  it  doubtless  when  finished  became  an  open  and  public  highway, 
remaining  as  such  to  the  present  day. 

The  Austin  Road 

This  began  near  the  south  abutment  of  the  "Great  Bridge"  and  runs  up  the 
west  side  and  to  the  top  of  south  part  of  Surry  Mountain,  where  the  McCurdy 
family  owned  land  which  was  later  owned  by  Thomas  Austin  and  where  he 
lived  many  years. 

The  first  mention  of  this  road — July  31,  1781.  Voted,  to  not  except  a  high- 
way through  Samuel  M'Curdy's  land  up  the  west  side  of  the  mountain. 

Mar.  25,  1783.  "Voted  to  excuse  Mr.  Samuel  M'Curdy  and  his  sons 
from  their  highway  tax  for  1782  and  1783  on  account  of  their  making 
the  road  up  the  Mountain  to  Gilsum"  line. 

At  the  request  of  James  M'Curdy  this  road  was  laid  out  by  the  town  Sept. 
29,  1789  and  accepted  soon  after.  It  is  described  as  beginning  "at  a  Black 
Burch  staddle  on  or  near  Gilsum  line  on  the  Mountain"  then  runs  southwest- 
erly by  James'  house  down  the  Mountain  to  Peter  Hayward's  line,  then  "to 
a  white  tree  on  the  Great  Road  at  the  Bridge";  the  said  road  is  two  rods  wide 
and  the  trees  are  "marked  with  two  notches." 

This  road  was  not  discontinued  until  March  8,  1898,  subject  to  gate  and 
bars,  although  for  many  years  previous  it  had  been  little  used. 

The  M'Curdy  Road 

This  is  the  extreme  north  end  of  Surry  East  road.  It  ran  northward  across 
the  meadow  above  the  Great  Bridge.  The  selectmen  laid  this  road  out  in 
1783  two  rods  wide  and  it  was  always  "to  be  a  pent  or  bridle  road."  and  not 
to  be  passable  except  by  gates  and  bars.  This  road  ran  across  James  M'Curdy's 
land  to  the  "southeastwardly  corner  of  William  Hayward's  land."  It  has 
been  an  open  and  public  highway  for  possibly  100  years. 

The  Great  Road 

This  road  was  re-sui'veyed  and  several  slight  changes  made  July  3,  1794. 

March  30,  1784.  Voted  to  clear  the  Main  road,  also  to  dispose  of  a  strip  of 
land  lying  in  the  highway,  beginning  at  Mr.  Brockways  corner  by  Darts  shop 
and  making  his  fence  straight  with  Mr.  Brockway's  fence  at  the  corner,  and 
to  take  no  more  of  the  Road  there,  and  then  to  narrow  off  until  it  comes  to  a 
point  at  Mr  (Jonathan  ?)   Smith's  fence  by  his  house,  also; 

Voted  to  leave  the  matter  with  the  Selectmen  to  see  how  much  land  shall  be 
taken  from  Mr.  Smith,  supposing  they  will  take  some  land  lying  against  the 
East  end  of  the  meeting-house. 

Pond  Road 

Apr.  ye  21,  1788,  A  plan  of  a  highway  laid  out  in  Surry;  Beginning  at  a 
stake  and  stones  on  the  West  line  of  the  highway  that  leads  through  the 
Town  a  little  North  of  Sylvaneus  Hay  wards  house,  then  runs  W.  7°  S.  14 
rods;  then  W.  43°  S.  10  rods;  then  3°  S.  9  rods;  then  W.  10°  W.  W.  42  rods 


58  History  of  Surry 

where  it  meets  a  Highway  laid  out  to  Benjamin  Carpenter,  Jr.     Said  road  to 
be  two  rods  wide. 

The  Great  Road 

The  following  is  a  survey  of  the  present  road  from  the  Dry-Bridge  (near 
Goosberry  Rock),  south  to  near  F.  E.  Ellis'  buildings; — the  old  road  ran  west 
of  present  house  on  the  Woodward  farm  and  intersected  the  present  road  at 
Goosberry  rock.  When  first  opened  this  road  crossed  a  small  dry  gulch  near 
the  noi'th  end  over  which  a  bridge  of  wood  was  built,  and  which  was  known 
as  the  "Dry  bridge."  It  is  frequently  called  by  that  name  to  this  day,  yet  on 
March  12,  1812  Edmond  Wetherbee  bid  off  the  job  of  building  a  road  of  stone 
and  gravel  at  the  Dry  bridge  by  Goosberry  rock  for  |23.00;  the  culvert  to  be 
built  of  stone,  and  the  road-way  to  be  as  wide  "as  the  plank  now  on  this 
bridge."       The  survey: 

Surry  April  17,  1804. 

This  day  laid  out  a  Highway  at  the  south  Butment  of  the  new  Bridge 
on  the  Road  lately  laid  out  by  the  Slectmen  and  the  Towns  Committee, 
Ran  South  2°  west  34  rods  to  a  stake;  Then  south  8°  west  12  rods  to  a 
stake;  Then  south  10°  west  14  rods  to  a  stake;  Then  east  31°  south  24 
rods  into  the  old  road  at  the  bottom  of  the  burying  yard  Hill.  Said 
road  to  be  four  rods  wide  and  the  above  described  line  to  be  the  center, 

Asahel  Harvey,  Nathan  Estabrook,  Selectmen.       Eli  Dort,  T.  Clei'k. 

Sept.  9,  1806;  Voted:  Not  take  any  shares  in  the  Cheshire  Turnpike  coi'- 
poration  as  a  town. 

March  3,  1803.     "Voted  to  have  a  Turnpike  road  through  this  Town." 

March  26,  1803.  Voted  to  straighten  the  road  through  town;  At  the  south 
part  of  town,  through  land  of  John  M'Curdy,  Samuel  M'Curdy  and  Daniel 
Day,  thence  north  to  Goosberry  rock;  Also  a  change  from  Isaac  Monroe's 
barnyard  "North  40  rods  to  John  Brockways  well." 

March  10,  1908,  the  town  voted  to  raise  $86.00  and  gain  "State  Aid."  This 
was  soon  followed  by  building  the  state  road  through  the  valley  from  the 
Keene  town  line.  A  state  highway  patrolman  has  been  engaged  on  this  and 
the  Gilsum  road  for  the  past  ten  or  more  years. 

The  Great  Road  or  Surry  East  Road  in  Keene 

March  5,  1754.  A  road  two  rods  wide  was  laid  out  "Up  the  river"  which 
began  at  Ash  Swamp  road  (now  West  street  in  Keene)  and  extended  to  land 
of  Ebenezer  Day's,  who  lived  where  Nils  Johnson  now  (1922)  lives,  it  being 
the  first  farm  south  of  No.  251 — see  map.  —  Keene  Records. 

March  4,  1760.  A  road  was  laid  out  and  accepted  by  the  town  of  Keene 
which  began  at  the  south  side  of  Ebenezer  Day's  land,  then  extended  under 
the  Mountain,  through  Peter  Rice's  land  to  the  town  line  of  Westmoreland, 
now  Surry. 

In  1784  the  town  of  Keene  laid  out  a  road  two  i-ods  wide  which  began  at 
the  road  near  Asahel  Blake's  and  ran  from  thence  on  or  near  land  of  Nathan 
Blake,  John  Day,  Hannaniah  Hall  and  William  Hayward's  land  to  the  town 


Roads,  Highways  and  Bridges  59 

line. — Keene  Records.  Possibly  this  was  the  road  which  ran  just  west  of  the 
Darling  house  No.  247. 

There  are  also  numerous  trails  and  wood  roads  in  various  parts  of  the 
town  of  which  no  mention  is  made. 

1858  an  attempt  was  made  to  build  a  road  around  the  hill  from  William 
Kingsbury's  cider  mill   (No.  20)  to  near  the  clay-pit  but  nothing  was  done. 


BRIDGES 
The  Great  Bridge 

The  Great  bridge  over  the  river  near  No.  1,  is  the  most  noted  of  any  in 
town.  The  date  when  the  first  was  erected  here  has  not  been  ascertained,  but 
in  1771  it  was  voted  to  build  a  new  bridge  near  "the  old  one,"  hence,  the  old 
one  probably  was  built  as  early  as  1762.  Bridges  have  been  built  over  the 
river  at  two  points  within  the  memory  of  those  now  living.  The  "lower"  site 
was  in  use  around  1850  and  is  more  direct,  but  slightly  longer  than  the 
"upper"  location  which  is  about  60  feet  across. 

On  Oct.  2,  1783  the  town  bought  land  -of  the  Hayward's  for  the  new  bridge, 
and  later  that  year  voted  to  accept  the  new  bridge  over  Ashuelot  river. 

June  3,  1793.  Voted  to  raise  40  pounds  before  October  1st  next,  to  build 
a  bridge.  We  cannot  explain  this  vote  unless  we  suppose  the  Great  bridge 
had  been  carried  away  by  ice  or  high  water,  as  the  structure  was  only  ten 
years  old. 

From  1805  until  1840  the  Cheshire  Turnpike  corporation  had  charge  of  this 
bridge.     Feb.  1824,  a  great  freshet  carried  off  this  bridge  as  noted  in — K.  S. 

Tradition  says  there  was  a  "truss  bridge"  at  the  present  spot  till  1848. 
Then  a  new  one  was  built  at  the  lower  site  having  supports  in  the  middle  of 
the  river.  In  ten  years  this  became  decayed  and  in  1859  a  new  one  of  the 
"Wilder  pattern"  was  built  on  the  upper  site.  The  present  one  was  built 
about  1890. 

Dec.  13,  1773.    Voted  to  get  1000  feet  of  plank  for  bridges  for  next  year. 

In  1779  a  bridge  was  built  near  the  "White  rock"  over  Harvey's  brook, 
south  of  Edward  H.  Joslin's. 

Butler's  Rock  Bridge 

The  first  bridge  was  built  here  about  1789,  and  in  1810  it  was  voted  to 
accept  a  new  bridge  built  by  Asa  Wilcox  on  the  road  leading  to  John  Red- 
ding's  house.  No.  139. 

The  Capt.  Holbrook  Bridge 

1801.  Voted  to  finish  the  bridge  between  Asa  Wolcox  place  and  Samuel 
Hills. 

The  Joslin  Road  Bridge 

March  1798.  Voted  to  accept  the  new  bridge  on  "Harvey  road,"  built  by 
Samuel  Allen.     Probably  until  this  time  teams  forded  the  brook. 


60  History  of  Surr^ 

AsAHEL  Harvey  Bridge 

March  12,  1811.  Voted  to  grant  a  bridge  over  Asahel  Harvey's  mill  pond. 
This  vi^as  at  No.  174.     A  bridge  vv^as  maintained  here  until  about  1850. 

The  Stone  Bridge 

The  old  records  speak  of  the  bridge  near  No.  201,  as  the  "stone  bridge." 
This,  however,  is  little  more  than  a  culvert. 

The  Dry  Bridge 

March  26,  1803.  The  town  voted  to  straighten  the  road  in  the  south  part 
of  town — near  No.  15.  In  1804  the  new  "Dry  bridge"  is  mentioned  in  the 
records  as  being  near  "Goosberry  rock." 

March  10,  1812.  Edmund  Wetherbee  took  the  job  of  building  "a  stone  and 
gravel  bridge"  near  Goosberry  rock  for  $23.00;  the  same  to  be  built  as  wide 
as  the  plank  are  now  on  said  bridge. 

The  Rogers  Bridge 

William  Hayward  had  a  saw  mill  here  in  1784  and  some  years  later  it  ap- 
pears the  road  was  laid  out  over  his  mill  dam,  but  no  record  to  this  effect  has 
been  discovered.     There  has  been  a  bridge  here  for  over  130  years. 

March  9,  1915.  Voted  to  raise  |500.00  to  build  a  concrete  bridge  by  the 
Rogers  mill-pond — No.  5,  map. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

POPULATION  CENSUS  AND  LIST  OF  VOTERS 

The  first  census  of  which  we  have  any  knowledge  was  taken  in  1767 — two 
years  before  the  birth  of  Surry.  It  is  interesting  to  note  the  population  taken 
at  that  time  of  adjoining  towns.  Alstead,  130;  Gilsum,  128;  Keene,  430; 
Walpole,  308  and  Westmoreland,  391.  The  latter  town  and  Gilsum  lost  por- 
tions of  their  people  when  Surry  was  incorporated  in  1769. 


following 

table 

shows  the 

populations 

of  Surry: 

1773  ■. 

.  .  208 

1850  .  .  . 

.  .  556 

1775  . 

.  .  215 

1860  .  .  . 

.  .  389 

1790  . 

.  .  448 

1870  .  .  . 

.  .  318 

1800  . 

.  .  569 

1880  .  .  . 

.  .  315 

1806  . 

.  .  558 

1890  .  .  . 

.  .  270 

1810  . 

.  .  564 

1900  .  .  . 

.  .  250 

1820  . 

.  .  520 

1910  .  .  . 

.  .  213 

1830  . 

.  .  539 

1920  .  .  . 

.  .  200 

1840  . 

.  .  481 

Census  of  Surry  1773: 

Married  men,  16  to  60 30 

Unmarried  men,  16  to  60 22 

Boys,    under    16    years 52 

Men    60    years    and    over 2 

Married    females 32 

Unmarried     females 70 


Total       208 


Widows        .     . 

Slaves,  Male    . 

Female 


Revolutionary  war  census  of  Surry  taken  Sept.  30,  1775 : 

Males  under  16  years  of  age 59 

Males  from  16  years  of  age  to  50 37 

Males    over    50    years    of    age 8 

Persons    serving    in    the    army 7 

All     females     in     town 104 


Total       215 


62  History  of  Surry 

FIRST  UNITED  STATES  CENSUS,  1790 
Heads  of  Families — Surry 

Free   White 
Head   of   Family  Males-16  or  over-      Males  Females 

Including  Under     16    Including    Head 

Head   of  Family 


Allen,  Abel 

2 

1 

3 

Allen,  Abel  Jr. 

1 

1 

2 

Allen,  Phinehas 

1 

3 

Barron,  William 

1 

3 

Barron,  William  Jr. 

1 

1 

2 

Baxter,  Simon 

3 

2 

5 

Benton,    Abijah 

1 

1 

4 

Bliss,  Abner 

1 

1 

5 

Britton,  Phillip 

1 

3 

2 

Brockway,  Esther 

1 

1 

1 

Brockway,  John 

1 

2 

3 

Brown,   Moses 

1 

1 

4 

Carpenter,  Benjamin 

2 

1 

2 

Carpenter,  Benjamin    Jr. 

2 

2 

1 

Carpenter,  Charles 

1 

2 

1 

Carpenter,  Jedediah 

3 

5 

Carpenter,  Jedediah   Jr. 

1 

1 

2 

Carpenter,  Jonathan 

1 

2 

Crane,  Abiah 

2 

2 

4 

Crandel,  Edward 

1 

2 

5 

Darling,   David 

1 

1 

3 

Dart,  Eli 

1 

1 

1 

Dart,  Eliphalet 

1 

2 

4 

Dart,  Nathaniel 

1 

1 

4 

Dasance,  Jesse 

1 

1 

Delance,  Delevan 

2 

2 

3 

Everett,  Thomas 

1 

3 

4 

Field,  Moses  D. 

1 

5 

5 

Fowler,  Cheever 

1 

4 

3 

Fuller,  Levi 

2 

1 

5 

Gilbert,  Ebenezer 

1 

2 

3 

Hancock,  Asa 

2 

5 

4 

Hancock,  Levi 

2 

3 

Harvey,  Thomas 

4 

2 

1 

Haywood,  Nathan 

.  1 

1 

6 

Haywood,  Peter 

3 

1 

4 

Haywood,  Sarah 

2 

2 

2 

Hills,  Samuel 

3 

3 

Holmes,  Asa 

1 

1 

Holmes,  Lemuel 

3 

1 

4 

Humphrey,  James 

1 

4 

5 

Isham,  Benjamin 

1 

3 

2 

Population  Census 


63 


Head  of  Family- 


Free  White 
Males-16  or  over- 


Males 


Including         Under 
Head   of  Family 


McCurdy,  James  2 

McCurdy,  John  2 

McCurdy,  Samuel  1 

McCurdy,  Samuel  Jr.  2 

Merrifield,   Benjamin  1 

Marvin,  John  2 

Marvin,  John  Jr.  2 

Munroe,.  Phillip  3 

Phillips,   Reuben  1 

Prentice,  Reuben  1 

Reding,  John  1 

Reed,  David  1 

Rice,    Phinehas  1 

Riggs,  Samuel  1 

Robertson,  Jonathan  3 

Russell,  William  1 

Scovel,  Henry  1 

Skinner,  Abner  2 

Smith,  Abraham  1 

Smith,  Abraham  Jr.  1 

Smith,  Daniel  1 

Smith,  Ichabod  1 

Smith,  Jonathan  2 

Smith,  Samuel  3 

Smith,  Stephen  2 

Smith,  Thomas*  2 

Smith,  Thomas,  Jr.  1 

Streater,   Zebulon  1 

Washburn,  Caleb  1 

Washburn,  Simeon  1 
Wetherbee,  Tabitha 

Wilbore,  Phillip  1 

Willcox,  Asa  1 

Willcox,  Obadiah  3 

Willcox,  Obadiah  Jr.  1 

Wright,  Eleazer  1 

Wright,  Oliver  1 

Total  males,  16  years  or  over 

Total  males  under  16  years 

Total  females 


Females 
Including   Head 


2 
5 
1 
3 
1 
1 
2 
5 
3 
4 
2 
1 
3 
3 
4 
1 
3 
2 
1 
1 
2 
2 
2 
5 
2 
2 
2 
5 
3 
1 
2 
2 
1 
5 
2 
2 
2 

117 

111 

220 


Total  population  448 

All  free  white  people — no  slaves  or  colored  people. 


64 


History  of  Surry 


A   CENSUS   OF   THE   INHABITANTS   IN   THE    TOWN   OF    SURRY,   IN 

THE  COUNTY  OF  CHESHIRE,  STATE  OF  NEW  HAMPSHIRE 

Taken  in  the  Summer  of  1806 

By 

Rev.   Parley   Howe 


Husband 

ALLEN,    Abel 
Died  Aug.  18,  1808 


ALLEN,  Abel  Jr. 

Abel 
Daniel 
Joseph 
Calvin 

ALLEN,  Samuel 

Calvin 
Otis 

William   Brockway 

ALLEN,  Phineas 

Phineas 
Georee 


ALLEN,  David 


Age  Wife 

73  Elizabeth    (Chapin) 

Died  Nov.  13,  1820 


Children 


Love 


Age 

71 

40 


49                  Susannah   (Wilbur) 

48 

CpiLDREN 

16                  Susannah 

19 

10                  Mary 

15 

8                 Elizabeth 

13 

5 

37                  Mary    (Holmes) 

S8 

Children 

3 

2 

Residents 

16                   (Possibly  Woolston 

Brockway) 

48                  Rachel    (Puffer?) 

45 

Children 

10                 Asenath 

18 

4                 Rachel 

16 

Eunice 

14 

Sally    (Sarah) 

12 

Lova 

8 

Roxa 

6 

Residents 

Jemima  Barron 

76 

Died  July  25,  1810 

31  Achsah   (Dart) 

Children 
1  Achsah 


24 


David 

Died  Aug,  10,  1808. 

Amos,  b.  Apr.   1807    (after  this  Census  was  taken)  d.  July  8,  1808. 

NOTE:    This    census    coverf?    several    months    and    is    not    absolutely    correct    in    all    details, 
as   births    and    deaths    are   inchided. 


Population  Census 


65 


Husband 

Age                Wife 

Age 

BUNDY,  Isaac 

32                  Anna    (d.  June   1807) 
Children 

32 

Abigail 

6 

Residents 

Samuel  Baxter 

31 

Hiram  Holmes 

10 

BENTON,  Abijah 

54                 Rebecca  (Field) 
Children 

54 

Abijah,   Jr. 

8                 Rebecca 

29 

Ruhamah 

25 

BENTON,  Erastus 

31                  Permela    (Hathorn) 
Children 

29 

Erastus  Jr. 

8 

Ervin 

5 

Almon 

1/2 

BUNDY,  Elias 

52                  Susan    (who   d.    1806) 
Children 

45 

Elias 

10                  Annis 

19 

Lydia 

14 

Matilda 

8 

BAXTER,  Simon 

59                 Margaret    (Noney) 
Children 

55 

Benjamin 

20 

George 

18 

Hollis 

16                  Nancy 
Residents 

12 

Zeuba  Howe 

21 

COLE,  John 

38                 Polly    (Bemis) 

43 

Died  Oct.  4,  1807. 

Children 

Zaccheus 

15                  Betsey 

14 

John 

8                 Polly 

6 

Asa 

2 

CARPENTER,  Charles 

45                  Sarah  (Thompson) 
Children 

4a 

Royal 

16                  Sarah 

11 

Joel 

14                  Rebekah 

7 

Warren 

2                  Lovisa 

5 

66 


History  of  Surry 


Husband 
COOK,  Charles 

Charles 
Barton 

CLARK,    Samuel 


Age 


Wife 


39  Mary 

Children 
15  Nancy 

7  Lucinda 


26 


Betsey   (Fisk) 


CARPENTER,  Benjamin,  Sr.     76  Joanna    (Hayward) 

Children 

Mary 


CARPENTER,  Amasa 

Luther 

Willard 

Lyman 

CARPENTER,  Jedidiah 

CARPENTER,  Benjamin,  Jr. 

Alfred 

Benjamin 

Seth 


39  Molly    (Rice) 

Children 
14  Polly 

12 
10 


73 


Mary   (Peck) 


45  Ruth   (Hayward) 

Children 
20  Sally 

18  Sybil 

4 


Ichabod 
Joshua 

CARPENTER,  Ezra 

Luman 
Willard 


CRANE,  Experience 
Died  Mar.  27,  1814 
Children 
22  Sina 

7 


32  Betty   (Chapin) 

Children 
6  Ruth 

2  Hannah 

Betsey 
Residents 

Joanna  Chapin 


CARPENTER,  Aaron 

George 
Jedidiah 


39  Mary    (Thompson) 

Children 
6  Polly 

4  Candace 


Age 
35 

10 
4 

16 

77 
50 

36 
6 


67 

43 

15 
10 


52 


15 


29 

5 

4 
1 

20 

37 

7 
2 


Population  Census 


67 


Husband 


David  Reed,  Jr. 
Aaron  Reed 


DART,  Eliphalet 


DART,  Eli 

Eliphalet 
John 
Elihu 
Obed 


FINNEY,  Abijah 
FOWLER,  J.  Cheever 

James 
Joshua 

FULLER,  Joshua 
FIELD,    (Moses  who  d. 

Amos 

Died  Feb.  6,  1807 


GE                 Wife 

Age 

DART,  Sarah   (Thayer) 

57 

Died  Jan.  18,  1819 

Residents 

22                 Abigail  Wheelock 

39 

15                  Sally  Holmes 

16 

Nancy  Harvey 

14 

65                  Anna  (Field) 

62 

Children 

Anna 

37 

Died  Sept.  18,  1812. 

41                  Joanna    (Newton) 

45 

Children 

16                 Joanna 

10 

14                 Thankful 

8 

12                 Azuba 

6 

2                 Mima 

4 

DAWES,  Jeptha 

68                  Mary 
Children 

70 

Seth 

45 

Died  June  3,  1807 

DAVIS,  Levi 

35                  Hannah    (Follett) 
Children 

61 

Asa 

12                 Lurena 

6 

Levi 

8 

Jesse 

5 

Samuel 

2 

?                 Esther  (Holmes) 

24 

49                  Lydia    (Stearns) 

Children 
16                 Betsey 

7                  Naomi 
Lydia 

48 

12 
10 

7 

79                  Joanna    (Taylor) 

72 

1805.)                        FIELD,  Molly  (Hayward)            41 

Children 

10                  Patience  i3 

Esther  8 

Rizpah  4 


68 


History  of  Surry 


Husband 
FULLER,  Lev 

Silas 


FIELD,  Moses  D. 

Eliphas 
Cyrus 

HAYWARD,  Calvin 

Peter 
Calvin 

HAYWARD,  Daniel 
Charles 


Alexander  Grout 

HANCOCK,  Levi 
Jeremiah    Chickrew 

HARVEY,  Thomas 
Daniel  Abbott 


HOLMES,  Lemuel 


GE                 Wife 

Age 

44                  Mary   (Benton) 

43 

Children 

11                  Nancy 

8 

Alvira 

1 

Residents 

Hannah   Brockway 

18 

63                  Patience    (Smith) 

58 

Children 

22                  Eunice 

14 

17 


39  Lucinda  34 

Children 
12  Avis  14 

5 

56  Ellen  60 

Children 
21  Sophia    (married  to  Mr.  Hamil- 

ton) 18 

Patty  16 

Residents 
11 


45  Lyna    (Harvey) 

Residents 

18  Sally  Estabrook 

Sally  Chickrew 
Nabby  Chickrew 


66  Grace   (Willey) 

Residents 

7  Lucy  Abbott 

Betsey  Abbott 
Lucy  Abbott 
Lyna  Abbott 


67  Abigail 

Children 

Elizabeth 


40 

27 

16 

9 

63 

38 

11 

9 

6 

64 
26 


Husband 
HARDY,  Daniel 

David  W. 
Daniel  S. 
Luman  P. 


HARTWELL,  William 

John 
Robert 


Population  Census 

Age  Wife 

56  Elizabeth 

Children 
19  Persis 

11  Lydia 

6  Elizabeth 


53  Polly   (Daws) 

Children 
11  Lucy 

9  Mille    (or  Milla) 


69 

Age 
46 

17 

13 

8 


36 

13 

7 


HILLS,  Samuel 

40                  Lucy    (Thomson) 
Children 

40 

Benjamin 

13                Lucy 

18 

Samuel 

9 

Hock 

7 

Isaac  Cobb 

2  weeks 

Residents 

John    Brown 

21 

Abel  Puffer 

36 

HARVEY,  Asahel 

42                 Eunice   (Chamberlain) 
Children 

36 

Asahel 

7                 Eunice 

14 

Nancy 

13 

Fanny 

11 

Clorinda 

4 

HASELTON,  Moses 

29                 Allice    (Kendrick) 
Children 

24 

Albanus 

1 
Residents 

Anna  Kendrick 

58 

Mercy  Kendrick 

5 

HAYWARD,  Hercules 

Cyrus 
George 


32  Rhoda    (Flint)  38 

Children 

4  Lorinda  9 

2  Sally  7 

Caroline  born  Mar.  1807. 


70 


History  of  Surry 


Husband 
HAYWARD,  Nathan 

Nathan 


Age 


Wife 


52  Sarah   (Smith) 

Children 
11  Experience 

Seneh 
Sally 


Age 
50 

24 
19 
17 


HASKINS,  Dr.  Calvin 

29                Rhoda   (Field) 
Children 

19 

Cyrus 

4  mos.                  Patty  B. 

2 

HILL,  John 

67                 Lydia  (Fuller) 
Children 

56 

Betsey 

20 

HAYWARD,  Aaron 

26                 Hannah  (Fuller) 
Children 

20 

Lyman 

2 

HARVEY,  Cyrus 

25                 Hannah    (White  Dana) 
Children 

21 

Cyrus  H. 

4                 Grace 

2 

Phebe  Dana               b.  Mar.  6,  1807 

HARVEY,  Jonathan 

32                 Roxalana    (Baxter) 
Children 

29 

Jonathan 

7                 Roxalana 

9 

Simon  B. 

2 

Residents 

Joel  Crandel 

16 

*HOWE,  Rev.  Perley 


43  Zeruiah 

Children 

Phebe 
Eliza 


INGALS,  Joseph  31 

Adopted  Child 


Lucy 

Nelly  Wetherbee 


LOCKE,  Jonathan  S. 
Ralph  E.  Smith 


23  Nancy  (Bates) 

Residents 
16 


36 

7 
6 

33 
1 

22 


♦NOTE — Rev.    Mr.    Howe's    family    has    been    added    to    the   list   by    the   writer. 


Husband 

ISHAM,  Benjamin  d.  1802 

Timothy 
Joshua 

Sylvester  Smith 

MACK,  Reuel 

Samuel 
Joseph 
Luther 
Calvin 


McCURDY,  John 

John 
Samuel 
Thomas 
Richard 

McCURDY,  Samuel 
Alvin  Carpenter 

McCURDY,  James 

John 
Thomas 


MONRO,  Philip 

Hollis 
Calvin 
Abijah 
Isaac 

William  Munro 


Population  Census 

Age 

Wife 

ISHAM,  Martha 

Children 

21 

Patty 

19 

Prudence 

Residents 

26 

40 

Lydia   (Ordway) 

Childre 

N 

13 

Elizabeth 

11 

7 

4 

Residents 

Elizabeth  Rasor 

56 

Sarah    (Watts) 

Children 

10 

Polly 

8 

Sally 

5 

Elizabeth 

6  mos. 

Nancy 

85  Elizabeth   (Mooty) 

Residents 
16  Rachel  Carpenter 


54  Margarett 

Children 
23  Polly   (Mary) 

17  Peggy 

Betsey 
Jenny 


50  Betsey   (Briggs) 

Children 
16  Rhoda 

12  Lucy 

10  Betsey   (the  poet) 

8  Theda 

Residents 
12  Clarissa  Peterson 


71 

Age 

44 

17 
9 


35 
9 


40 

18 

16 

13 

3 

82 
55 

51 

20 
15 
13 
10 

39 

18 

15 

6 

1 


72 


History  of  Surry 


Husband                                    Age 

Wife 

Age 

MONRO,  Isaac                                39 

Mary   (Sweetser) 

35 

Children 

Isaac  Newcomb,  b.  Jan.   18,  1794; 

Eunice 

17 

d.  May  18,  1795 

Fanny 

15 

Isaac  Newton                                     7 

Polly 

10 

Betsey   Sweetser 

5 

Roxy 

2 

MONRO,  Abel 

31 

Bethana   (Barron) 

Children 

William 

9 

Rebecca 

James 

7 

Abel 

5 

John 

3 

MARVIN,  John 

42 

Caroline   (Beckwit 

Children 

Seth 

20 

Esther 

Lelon 

17 

Polly 

James 

15 

Shepherd 

13 

Nehemiah 

11 

Richard 

9 

John 

8 

Ransom 

4 

MERIFIELD,  Benjamin 

64 

Hannah 

Residents 

Benjamin  Britton 

22 

Eunice  Wildbore 

NORRIS,  Elijah 

35 

Anna   (Kendrick) 

Children 

Philo 

2 

Polly 
Sophronia 

NORRIS,  John 

34 

Joanna   (Skinner) 

C 

hildren 

John 

7 

Harry 

5 

Luman 

2 

33 


42 

18 
6 


65 
10 

33 


36 


Population  Census 


73 


Husband 
PERKINS,  William 

William 

John 

David 

Asa 

Francis 

POND,  Philester 

READ,  David 

Obediah 
Nathan   Daggett 

REDDING,  John 

John 

Daniel 

James 

Joshua 

Jonathan 


REDDING,  Thomas 
Lyman 


RITTER,  William 


ROBINSON,  Jonathan 

Samuel 
Jonathan 


GE                 Wife 

Age 

39                  Betsey 

(Proctor) 

34 

Children 

17                  Betsey 

15 

13                  Rachel 

8 

10                  Sally 

4 

6                  Martha 

8  mos. 

2 

25 


(Lived  alone) 


50  Abigail   (Daggett) 

Children 
17  Abigail 

5  Sally    (Sarah) 

Pollv 


51  Mehitabel    (Webster) 

Children 
20 
18 
14 
12 
1 
Residents 

Lucy  Redding 


55  Pamela  (Rice) 

Children 
12  Polly 

Pamela 
Lovisa 
Residents 

Dinah  Armstrong 


59  Ruth 

Residents 

Joanna  Wildbore 


53  Betsey   (Chadwick) 

Children 
20  Dolly 

8  Suky 

Sally 
Betsey 


46 

12 
9 

7 

46 


28 

32 

10 
5 
1 

67 

58 
12 

50 

23 
18 
16 
13 


74 
Husband 


History  of  Surry 


Age 


Wife 


Daniel  Robinson 
Stephen   Hendee 

SMITH,  Benjamin 
Peter 

SKINNER,  Abner 

Richard 

Richard  Merriam 

SKINNER,  Jonathan  S. 

SMITH,  Cushman 

Trumbull 
Alden 


Children    (Cont) 

Claris; 
Lovisa 
Lucia 
Residents 

22 

20 


58  Hannah 

Children 
15 


67  Susanna   (Smith) 

Children 
26 

Residents 
12 


28 


Jerusha  (Knight) 


36  Azubah 

Children 

7  Sophronia 

2  Azubah 


SMITH,  Ichabod 


SMITH,  Jonathan 

Amherst  Hayward 
Sylvester  Bliss 


64  Lydia  (Wilcox) 

Residents 

Sarah  Dolph 


62  Huldah    (Hayward) 

Residents 
18  Emelia  Hayward 

14 


Age 

10 
6 
3 


69 


68 


24 

36 

11 
9 


SMITH,  Daniel 

39 

Sybil   (Hayward) 

34 

C; 

hildren 

Daniel 

16 

Charlotte 

18 

James 

12 

Thankful 

10 

Thomas  Jefferson 

11  mos. 

Nabby  Ann 

6 

Sarepta 

3 

Residents 

Elisheba  Smith 

67 

Amoranceana  Jones 

23 

61 
12 

58 

14 


Population  Census 


75 


Husband 
SAWYER,  Samuel 

Samuel  Jr. 
James 


John  B.  Carlton 


Age 


Wife 


39  Sarah    (Wheelock   ?) 

Children 

7  Sally 

3  Hannahappuck   (Happy) 

Residents 
20 


Mr,  Sawyer  has  had  6  children;  the  following  died  as  follows: 
Betsey,  b.  May  16,  1801;  d.  Apr.  14,  1806. 
Maria,  b.  Dec.  31,  1805;  d.  Jan.  11,  1806. 


STONE,  David 

George 
Asahel 
Philander 


THAYER,  John 


27  Asenath    (Willey) 

Children 
3  Laura 

1  Abigail 

2  mos. 


24 


Age 
31 

12 
10 


25 

6 
5 


25 


Polly 

Died  Nov.  8,  1807 
Children 

Hepzibah  1 

The  same  day  that  Mrs.  Thayer  died,  also  died  their  infant  child,  born  after 
this  Census  was  taken. 

Residents  ^ 

Aaron  Esterbrook  Rachel  Hayward 

Benjamin   Slyfield 


12 


THOMPSON,  Samuel 

Joel 

Cyrus 

Samuel 

John 

Jesse 


37 


Susannah   (Allen) 


Children 
11  Hannah 

9  Susannah 

7 
4 
2 


34 

15 
13 


THOMPSON,  William 

Luman 
Otis 
Oilman 
Asahel 


30 


Betsey 


Children 
8  Betsey 

6 
4 


30 


76 


History  of  Surry 


Husband 

Age               Wife 

Age 

STREETER,  Jesse 

32                 Polly   (Stocker) 
Children 

^33 

Abigail 

7 

Nancy 

3 

Irena 

1 

Residents 

Emery  Bragg 

2                 Sally  Stocker 

13 

STILES,  John 

55                 Keziah 
Residents 

57 

Josiah  Stiles 

13                 Lora  Wells 

13 

Ruggles  S.  Wadkins 

8 

STREETER,  Zebulon 

67                 Tabitha  (Harvey) 

Children 

69 

Elijah 

31                 Tabitha 

26 

SMITH,  Abraham 

87                 Ruth 

85 

THOMAS,  Dudley 


WILCOX,  Gaylord 


Dauphin 

WILCOX,  Asa 

Aaron 
John  Talcott 

William  Porter 
WILCOX,  Asa  Jr. 


37  Sally    (Staples) 

Residents 

Mary  Thomas 


37 

62 

37  Orinda  (Carpenter)  29 

Children 

Mary  Lovisa,  b.  Sept.  2,  1805 

d.  Oct.     7,  1806 
Residents 
11  Susannah  Smith  15 


50                 Dinah    (Loveland) 

47 

Children 

22                 Dinah 

12 

19 

Residents 

10 

25                 Nelly  (Wetherbee) 

25 

Residents 

Mary  Thompson 

20 

Population  Census 


77 


Husband 
WHEELOCK,  Phineas 

John  W. 

WRIGHT,  Elizer 

Jesse  D. 

Lelon 

Moses 

WRIGHT,  Oliver 

WTiliam 
John 


WETHERBEE,  Abijah 

Edmund 
A  bi  j  ah 
Joshua 
Thomas   T. 
William 
Francis 
Paul 
Luther 


VvILCOX,  Obediah 


Age  Wife 

24  Peggy    (Hennessy  ?) 


Children 


l^^ 


56  Catherine   (Dassance) 

Children 
20  Sally 

17  Catherine 


46  Mehitable    (Trowbridge) 

Children 


21 

Mehitable 

19 

Lucinda 

17 

9 

7 

5 

3 

mo. 

Age 
22 


52                  Elenor 

(Dassance) 

42 

Children 

14                  Nella 

17 

11                  Betsey 

6 

9                  Fanna 

1 

54 

23 
14 

42 

12 
15 


82 


Sarah  (Talcott) 


72 


Total  558 


78 


History  of  Surry 
Voters  in  Surry  1825 


The  following  is  a  list 

1825 — from  an  old  check 

*Allen, 

Daniel 

Allen, 

David 

*Allen, 

Calvin 

*Abbott, 

Daniel 

*Adams, 

John    M. 

Austin, 

Robert 

♦Austin, 

Thomas 

*Allen, 

Phinehas 

Alien, 

George 

Adams, 

Thomas 

*Baxter, 

George 

*Baxter, 

William 

*Ballou, 

Ichabod 

Benton, 

,    Abijah 

*Benton, 

,  Adoniram 

*Bemis, 

Cyrus 

*Brown, 

Hiram 

Brown, 

Oliver 

*Brooks, 

Levi 

Britton 

,   Benjamin 

*Britton, 

,  John  S. 

*  Britton 

,  James 

*Carpenter,    Charles 
*Carpenter,  Benjamin 
♦Carpenter,   Benj.   Jr. 
♦Carpenter,  Ezra 

Carpenter,  Luman 
♦Carpenter,    Seth 

Carpenter,   Warren 
♦Chase,  Bradford 
♦Crane,  Ichabod 
♦Crane,  Joshua 

♦Daggett,    Otis 
♦Davis,  Jonathan  B. 
*Dort,   Eli 
♦Dort,  Elihu 
*Dort,  Eliphalet 
Dwinell,  Lruther 

Surry,  Mar.  8,  1825, 


of  voters  in  Surry  at  the  Annual  March  meeting  in 
list:     Those  who  voted  are  marked  * 
♦Field,   Cyrus  *Norris,  Elijah 

Field,  Eliphaz 

Perkins,  William 
♦Pollard,  Jonas 

Reed,   Obadiah 
Ritter,  William 
♦Robbins,    Jeremiah 
♦Robinson,    Jonathan 
♦Robinson,  Jona,,  Jr. 
♦Robinson,  Samuel 
♦Ross,   Emerson 

♦  Shaw,  David 
♦Smith,    Sylvester 
♦Smith,  Willard 
♦Stone,  David 
♦Streeter,  Jesse 

♦Thomas,  Philip 

♦Watkins,  Royal 
Ward,  Nahum 
Whitcomb,  David 
♦Whitcomh,    Enoch 
♦Whitcomb,  Silas 
Wilbur,  Amasa 
Wilbur,  Alvah 
Wilder,  Isaiah 
♦WiTley,  Joseph 
♦Webster,  Benjamin  E. 
Withington.  Stephen 

♦Willard,  Joshua 
♦Willcox,  Asa 
♦WiTlcox,  Asa,  Jr. 

Wright,  Elizur 
♦Wright,   Moses 

Wright,   Oliver 
♦Wright,    William 


'■'Hatch,  James 

Hancock,    Levi 

Hancock,  Silas 

Haile,  John 
*Hall,  Seth 

Harvey,  Jonathan 
♦Harvey,   Jona.   Jr. 
♦Harvey,  Asahel 
♦Haws,   Daniel 
♦  Hayward,  Nathan 

Hayward,   Peter 

Hixon,    Elkana 
♦Hill,   Moses 
♦Hills,    Samuel 
♦Hills,   Samuel,   Jr. 
♦Holbrook,   Francis 

Howe,   Perley 
♦Humphrey,   Thomas 

♦Isham,    Timothy 

♦Jenning,  William 
♦Johnson,    Augustus 
♦Johnson,    Charles 
Joslin,    John 
♦Joslin,  Luke 
♦Joslin,    Peter 

♦Kingsbury,  James 
♦Knight,  Benjamin 
♦Knight,  Joseph 

Livermore,  John 
Loveland,  Aaron,  Jr. 

May,    John 

♦Monroe,   Philip 


Francis  Holbrook 
Sylvester  Smith 
Samuel  Robinson 


Select 7nen   of  Surry. 


Population  Census         .  79 

CENSUS  OF  SURRY  IN  1840 

The  following  summary  is  taken  from  The  New  Hampshire  Sentinel: 
Number  of  horses  and  mules,  103.  Neat  stock,  565.  Sheep,  1684.  Swine, 
122.  Bushels  oats,  4,472.  Wheat,  541.  Barley,  240.  Rye,  590.  Buck-wheat, 
six.  Corn,  2,346.  Potatoes,  15,840.  Pounds  wool,  3,774.  Tons  hay,  1,295. 
Pounds  maple  sugar,  5,399.  Valuation  of  dairy  produce,  $3,799.00.  Grist- 
mills, one.     Saw  mills,  one.     Retail  stores,  one.  — 1840. 

The  U.  S.  census  of  Sui-ry  for  1850,  taken  by  Isaac  Sturtevant  of  Keene, 
August  8,  9,  10,  of  that  year,  was  a  most  complete  census,  and  the  following 
is  the  order  in  which  a  condensed  report  appears:  Name  (head  of  family), 
age;  acres  in  farm  and  valuation;  names  of  wife,  children,  and  other  mem- 
bers of  the  household,  with  age  of  each;  birthplace  is  New  Hampshire  unless 
otherwise  stated;  agricultural  pursuits  predominate;  other  occupations  are 
noted: 

ABBOTT,  DANIEL,  52,  250,  $3,000;  Mrs.  Daniel,  53;  Thomas  19^  Henry  17; 
Joseph  14;  Mary  Ann  9;  Lucy  Abbott  53.;  Louisa  Leonard  19. 

ADAMS,  Mrs.  ELECTA  (Morton-Purcell) ,  42,  — ,  — ;  Julia  A.  15;  Mary  12; 
Ella  Frances  2. 

ALLEN,  DAVID  Jr.,  31,  120  $1,500;  Mrs.  David  34;  David,  Sr.  74;  Mrs. 
David  Sr.  68;  children  of  David  Sr.,  Azubah  38;  Elvira  35;  Eliza  33; 
George  W.  Nash  14. 

ALLEN,  JOSEPH,  73,  b.  Mass.,  — ,  $400;  Mrs.  Joseph  69,  b.  Mass.;  Rev. 
Samuel  H.  Partridge  23,  clergyman;  Charlotte  A.  Gould  9. 

ALLEN,  JOSEPH,  2nd,  52,  120,  $1700;  Mrs.  Joseph  50;  William  H.  H.  20; 
Francis  A.  15;  Lucy  A.  11;  George  W.  8;  John  H.  6;  Andrew  Jackson 
23;  Susannah  Britton  63. 

ALLEN,  MRS.  RACHEL,  89,  53,  $1200;  Rachel  60;  Roxana  49;  Cyrus  Bemis 
26. 

AUSTIN,  THOMAS,  55,  95,  $1200;  Mrs.  Thomas  50;  Wesley  22;  Kendall  13; 
Charles  11. 

BALLOU,  ICHABOD,  61,  a  carpenter,  — ,  $500;  Mrs.  Ichabod  60;  Nancy  27; 
Harvey  24;  Clarinda  20. 

BENTON,  ABIJAH,  52^  50,  $700;  Mrs.  Abijah  47;  Jane  16;  George  15;  Mar- 
tha 11;  Josephine  8;  Phebe  Crandall  70. 

BENTON,  FRANKLIN,  33,  a  blacksmith,  — ,  — ;  Mrs.  Franklin  38,  Franklin 
G.  9;  Martha  E.  6;  Augusta  3  mos.;  Elizabeth  Benton  76. 

BISSELL,  TYLER,  50,  b.  Conn.,  70,  $800;  Mrs.  Tyler  50,  b.  Vt.;  Maria  19,  b. 
Vt;  Mary  17,  b.  Vt.;  Ellen  15,  b.  Vt.;  Albert  10;  Edward  8;  Henry  6. 

BLAKE,  GEORGE,  59,  425,  $5000;  Mrs:  George  48;  Francis  28;  Mrs.  Fran- 
cis 24;  William  Hubbard  29,  emp.  in  factory;  Mrs.  William  Hubbard 
25;  Mary  (?)  Aldrich  50;  John  Keyes  10;  Michael  Costello  20,  b.  Ire- 
land. 

BLAKE,  HENRY,  31,  50,  $1200;  Mrs.  Henry  29;  George  H.  7;  Aaron  H.  4; 
Albert  11  mos;  C.  Augustus  Blake  29;  Dinah  Wilcox  92,  b.  Conn. 

BLAKE,  JOSHUA  D.,  34,  100,  $1400;  Mrs.  Joshua  D.  29;  Oscar  B.  10;  Ira 
E.  7;  Abby  J.  5;  Mary  L.  2. 


NOTE :    A    few    additions    and    t-orrections    have    been    made    to    the    original    paper. 


80  History  of  Surry 

BRITT,  WILLARD    43,  — ,  $300;  Mrs.  Willard  39;  Frances  J.  11;  Lucius  B. 

9;   Caroline  F.  7;   Charles  W.  5;   Herbert  S.  3;   Miss  Pamelia    (C   ?) 

Britt  31,  sister  of  Willard. 
BRITTON,   BENJAMIN    M.   39,  — ,  — ;    Mrs.   Benjamin   M.   29;    Mrs.    Melia 

Fisher,  58,  b.  Mass.;  Harriet  C.  Fisher  18,  b.  N.  Y. 
BRITTON,   BRADLEY,  41,   170,   $2800;    Mrs.    Bradley   30;    Marshall    B.    14; 

George  W.  13;  Charles  E.  5;  Elbridge  W.  1;  Harmon  Britton  25,  a  half 

brother  to  Bradley;  Mrs.  Rhoda  Pond  6*5,  mother  of  Mrs.  Britton. 
BRITTON,  CHARLES,  27,  — ,  — ;   Mrs.  Charles  27,  b.  Vt.;   Sabra  M.  Tufts 

10,  b.  Vt.;  Celuda  J.  9,  b.  Vt.;  Sidney  D.  4,  Vt.,  children  of  Mrs  B. 
BRITTON,  HENRY   (called,  Harry),  47,  — ,  $100;  Mrs.  Henry  54;  Henry  A. 

18;  Mrs.  Ruhamah  Davis  69. 
BRITTON,  HIRAM  36,  130,  $1500;   Mrs.  Hiram  30;  George  L.  14;   Mrs.  Re- 
lief Britton  65;  Miss  Relief  Britton  30,  mother  and  sister  of  Hiram. 
BRITTON,  JAMES  G.  30,  — ,  — ;  Mrs.  James  G.  30;  Mrs.  Mercy  Brown  65 

George  Brown  40,  lived  in  same  dwelling  as  James  G.  Britton. 
BROOKS,  LEVI,  60,  b.  Mass.,  a  carpenter,  — ,  $600;  Mrs.  Levi  47,  b.  Mass. 

Elizabeth  M.  17;  Eli  Brooks  22. 
BURGESS,  WILLIAM  J.  24,  b.  Me.,  — ,  — ;   Mrs.  William  J.  24,  b.  Ireland 

John  W.  5  mos. 
CARPENTER,  ARIEL    (sometimes  called  Royal),  60,  — ,  — ;   Mrs.  Ariel  52 

Irene  25,  b.  Vt.;  John  13;  Haskell  8. 
CARPENTER,  BENJAMIN  Jr.  62,  100,  $2000;  Mrs.  Benjamin  55;  Benjamin 

W.  18;  Mrs.  Sally  Wilbur  57;  Lewis  C.  Shelley  21. 
CARPENTER,  LEWIS,  40,  — ,  $1000;  Mrs.  Lewis  35;.Alden  15;  Wallace  11; 

Ella  3;  Bellows  Emerson  21. 
CARPENTER,   WARREN   46,   200,  $1700;    Mrs.   Warren   34;    Albert   B.   12; 

Charles  Milan  8;  Sarah  E.  2  mos;  Miss  Lovisa  48,  a  sister  of  Warren. 
CARPENTER,  WILLARD,  46,  — ,  — ;   Mrs.  Willard;   Curtis  19;   James  16; 

Ira  12;  George  H.  10;  Bennett  8;  Louisa  E.  6;  Dennis  1;  Amos  Streeter 

45. 
CARPENTER,  WILLIAM,  36,  225,  $4000;   Mrs.  William  29;   Luman  M.  11; 

Josephine  A.  9;  Ellen  M.  8;  Jasper  H.  6;  Mason  A.  4;  Frank  DeW.  2; 

Eugene  R.  9  mos.;  Ezra  Carpenter  76,  the  father  of  William. 
CASWELL,  ALFRED,  45,  b.  R.  I.,  saw  mill,  1500;  Mrs.  Alfred  39,  b.  R.  I.; 

M.  Jane  15,  b.  Mass.;  Nathan  10,  b.  Mass.;  David  Edward,  6,  b.  Mass.; 

Almira  P.  3;  Daniel  Carpenter  41,  grist  mill,  $1500. 
COTTON,  LEWIS  L.  26,  14,  $700—  a  carpenter;   Mrs.  Lewis  L.  20;    Myron 

Lewis  8  mos.;  Eliza  Britton  13. 
GRAIN,  EBENEZER  Jr.  32,  — ,  — ;  Mrs.  Ebenezer  Jr.  30;  Julia  7;   Hannah 

5;  Albert  3;  Louisa  1. 
GRAIN,  GILBERT  36,  80,  $1800;  Mrs.  Gilbert  34;  Jane  8;  Charles  6;  Fred- 
erick R.  4;  Frank  P.  3;  Ebenezer  Grain  Sr.  69, 
GRAIN,  LEANDER   40,  83,  $1500;    Mrs.   Leander  38;    Harriet   15;    Eleanor 

13;  Martha  11;  Sarah  9;  Helen  7. 
CRANE,  ICHABOD  66,  — ,  $400;  no  further  record. 
CREHORE,  GEORGE,  37,  257    $3500;  Mrs.  George  45;   Harriet  19;   George 

17;  Roxana  16;  Lewis  15;  Asahel  13;  Mary  J.  11;  Charles  9. 


Population  Census  81 

CROSBY,  BENJAMIN  C.  25,  — ,  §300;  Mrs.  Benjamin  C.  27;  Emily  2. 

GUSHING,  DAVID,  43,  25,  $500;  Mrs.  David  43;  Lucy  M.  14. 

GUSHING,  JOHN  A.  41,  b.  Mass.,  — ,  — ;  Mrs.  John  A.  39;  Sarah  J.  16;  Pam- 

elia  A.  14;   Ellen  E.  12;   Susan  E.  9;   Frances  L.  6;  John  W.  1;   Mary 

Wilbur  25 
DORT,  ELIPHALET,  61,  100,  $2000;   Mrs.  Eliphalet  55;   Obed  G.  22;   Mary 

E.  17;  William  Dort  26;  Mrs.  William  23,  son  of  Eliphalet. 
DURRELL,  LEVI,  39,  190,  $2800;   Mrs.  Levi  39;   Martha  J.   12;   Caroline  9; 

Lucy  A.  6;  Lucius  H.  Jones  10. 
DUSTIN,  JOHN,  59,  170,  $1000;  Mrs.  John  55;  John  Rogers  9. 
ELLIS,  HENRY  T.  40,  350,  $4000;   Mrs.  Henry  T.  30;   Charlotte  15;   Julia 

3;  Sarah  1;  Francis  Wright  18;  George  Purcell  11. 
FIELD,   ELIPHAZ,   65,   3000,   $3000;    Mrs.    Eliphaz   65;    Lucia   27;    Patrick 

Murphy  65,  b.  Ii'eland. 
FIELD,  JONATHAN   R.   36,  — ,  — ;    Mrs.   Jonathan   R.   34;    George   W.   7; 

Francis  F.  5;  Mary  Purcell  14;  Seth  Morton  72,  b.  Mass. 
FOSTER,  B.  FRANKLIN,  35,  105,  $1200;  Mrs.  B.  Franklin  35,  b.  Vt.;  Amos 

16;   Eunice  15;   Adin  13;   Esther  11;   Addison  9;   Alson  7;   Hannah  5; 

Anson  3. 
FOSTER,  JOHN,  40,  100,  S1600;   Mrs.  John  27;   Lucy  A.  Cannon  8;   George 

F.  Cannon  6;  Charles  H.  Cannon  4. 

FOSTER,  JOHN  2d,  37,  b.  Mass.,  4,  $600;  Mrs.  John  31;  Sarah  B.  7;  George 

H.  5. 
HALL,  HENRY  B.,  45,  — ,  — ;  Mrs.  Henry  B.  47. 
HARTWELL,  ELIJAH  HOLBROOK,  46,  120,  $2000;   Mrs.  E.  Holbrook  42; 

Francis  J.  Hartwell  15,  nephew;  Miss  Harriet  Markham  19. 
HARVEY,  MRS.  ELIZABETH,  65. 
HARVEY,  JONATHAN,  78,  300,  $1700;   Mrs.  Nancy  B.  Whitman  34,  dau. 

of  Mr.  H;  George  Whitman  8. 
HARVEY,  JONATHAN  Jr.,  51,  350,  $4500;    Mrs.   Jonathan  Jr.   48;    Soph- 

ronia  A.  29;  George  K.  21;  Persis  E.  17;  Sarah  H.  14;   Charles  Davis 

19. 
HAYWARD,  PETER,  56,  220,  $4000;  Mrs.  Peter,  53;  Martha  21;  Sarah  17; 

Henry  15;  George  13;  Margaret  Baxter  18;   Luther  Dwinell  47. 
HILLS,  BENJAMIN,  56,  300,  $4000;  Mrs.  Benjamin  49;  Julia  A.  13;  Susan 

E.  9;   widow  Lucy  Hills  84,  b.   Mass.;    Levi   S.   Leonard   27;    Mary  A. 

Mullory  22,  b.  Ireland. 
HODGKINS,  JOHN  N.  45,  — ,  — ;   Mrs.  John  N.  40;   George   12;   John   10; 

Orrin  (?)  5.  i 

HOLBROOK,  ELIJAH,  41,  250,  $3500;   inn-holder;   Mrs.   Elijah  38;   Louisa 

17;  Francis  10;  Mary  7;  George  5;  Frederick  3;  Charles  10  mos.;  Han- 
nah Murphy  20,  b.  Ireland;  Addison  Smith  32,  b.  Vt. 
HOLBROOK,  FRANCIS,  66,  187,  $4000;  inn-keeper;  Mrs.  Francis  51;  George 

W.  31;   Mrs.  George  W.  29;   Mary  Harvey  40;    Lucinda  Holden  18,  b. 

Vt. ;  Lorenzo  D.  Holden  22;   Daniel  Emerson  45. 
HORTON,  BENJAMIN   FRANKLIN,  38,  b.  Vt.,  — ,  — ;   Mrs.  Benj.  F.  40; 

George  11;  Mary  9;  Sovina  Relief  7;  Stephen  Withington  76,  father  of 

Mrs.  Horton. 


82  History  of  Surry 

HURD,  HARVEY,  33,   16,  |500;    Mrs.   Harvey  33,  b.   Mass.;   George   H.  7; 

Sarah  5;  Lucia  3. 
ISHAM,  TIMOTHY,  56,  — ,  — ;  Mrs.  Timothy  50;   Elmina  13;  Martha  Ellen 

11;  Charles  H.  7. 
JOHNSON,  AUGUSTUS,  70,  50,  $1400;  Mrs.  Augustus  67;  George  20;  Lewis 

27;   Henry  20? 
JOHNSON,  GEORGE,  43,  170,  §2500;  Mrs.  George  44;  Mary  A.  17,  b.  Mass.; 

George  B.  14;  Henry  E.  11;  Theodocia  E.  9;  Olinda  M.  5;  the  last  four 

all  b.  in  Vt. 
JOSLIN,  GEORGE,  46,  185,  $3000;   Mrs.  George  30;  Lucy  20;  Juliaette  18; 

Sarah  15;  George  Henry  13;  Charles  11;  Hei'bert  8;  William  1. 
JOSLIN,  JOHN,  50,  276,  |3500;  Mrs.  John  38;  Ellen  16;  John  14;  Mary  12; 

Edward  H.  8;  Georgiana  3. 
KINGSBURY,  JOSIAH,  42,  190,  $3000;   Mrs.  Josiah  40,  b.   Mass.;   Edward 

A.  11;  George  B.  10;   Edward  R.  Carter  37,  b.  Mass.;   William  Baker 

35,  b.  Mass. 
KINGSBURY,  WILLIAM,  45,  15,  $400;  Mrs.  William  40;  David  Stone,  father 

of  Mrs.  K. 
MASON,  ELIJAH,  58,  b.  Mass.;   200,  $2500;   Mrs.  Elijah  49;   Elijah  B.  24; 

Christopher  A.  20;  Columbus  A.  20;  William  P.  18;  Allen  P.  15;  also, 

George  Mason  26;  John  Mason  24;   Samuel  Mason  16;   Fanny  Mason 

14;   Henry  Mason  13,  children  of  the  brother  of  Elijah,  whose  widow 

he  married. 
PERKINS,  WILLIAM,  60,  140,  $1500;   Mrs.  William  52;   Sarah  26;   George 

20;  James  17;  Rosetta  14;  Charles  H.  11;   Mrs.  Elizabeth  Perkins  78, 

b.  Mass. 
POND,   LUMAN,   49,   35,   $500;    Mrs.    Luman   40;    Aaron    16;    Elizabeth    14; 

Martha  12;  Sarah  10;  Aurilla  2. 
RANDALL,  CALVIN,  45,  140,  $2000;  Mrs.  Calvin  35;  Lovisa  9;  George  H.  4; 

Joshua  Davis  82;  Mrs.  Joshua  Davis  81,  parents  of  Mrs.  R.;  John  Cole 

51;   George    (or  N.)    W.  Manley  15. 
REED,  NATHAN  D.,  47,  60,  $1500;   Mrs.  Nathan  D.  41;   George  Milton  15; 

Charles  Warren  10;  Martha  A.  8;  Sarah  R.  3. 
ROBINSON,  JONATHAN  JR.,  52,  475,  $4000;  Mrs.  Jonathan  Jr.  48;  Charles 

D.  26;   Helen  E.  25;  Louisa  M.  23;   Adaline  A.  21;   Henry  J.  19;  John 

C.   18;    William   S.   16;    Daniel   W.   14;    Samuel   F.    12;    S.   Martha   11; 

George  H.  9;  Frederick  E.  5;  Miss  Phebe  Simmons  49  b.  Vt.  colored; 

David  Nash  27. 
RUGG,   SEWALL,   38,   b.   Mass.,   75,   $800;    Mrs.   Sewall   36;    Sewall   F.   12; 

Charles  6;  Mary  S.  7  mos.;  Mary  Adams  5;  also  living  in  same  house, 

but  a  separate  family,  Philemon  Wright  70,  b.  Mass.;   Mrs.  Philemon 

68  b.  Mass.;  Mary  Wright  35  b.  Mass.,  dau.  of  Philemon;  James  Wright 

30,  b.  Mass. 
SHAW,  HORACE  B.,  37,  256,  $2500;  Mrs.  Horace  B.  21;  David  Shaw  77,  the 

father  of  Horace  B.;  Henry  Purcell  18;  Fred  A.  Newcomb  7  b.  Mass.; 
Mary  Byrnes  14  b.  Mass. 
SHELLEY,  ELISHA,  28,  71,  $1000;  Mrs.  Elisha  30;  Geo.  Fuller  11;  Charles 
Lincoln  8. 


Population  Census  83 

SMITH,  SYLVESTER,  70,  b.  Mass.?,  65,  $1200;  Mrs.  Sylvester  45. 

STEVENS,  ALMOND,  45,  a  trader,  — ,  $500;  Mrs.  Almond  45,  b.  Mass.; 
George  A.  15;  Holland  Stevens  35,  bro.  of  Almond. 

STONE,  PHILANDER,  44,  65,  $700;  Mrs.  Philander  38;  Abby  A.  15;  Mary 
S.  13;  Rufus  11;  Sarah  E.  9;  George  W.  4;  Charles  G.  2;  Cornelius 
Coburn  58,  a  shoemaker. 

STREETER,  WILLARD,  33,  114,  $1400;  Mrs.  Willard  38;  Hermon  O.  7;  Miss 
Nancy  Carpenter,  33,  sister  of  Mrs.  Willard. 

TYLER,  DEAN,  60,  — ,  — ;  Mrs.  Dean  49;  John  S.  16;  Julia  14. 

THOMAS,  PHILIP,  71,  30,  $600;  Louisa  Walton  40,  house-keeper. 

THOMAS,  PHILIP  Jr.,  43,  25,  $300;  Mrs.  Philip  42. 

WHEELOCK,  Mrs.  Ann  67,  — ,  — . 

WHJTCOMB,  DAVID,  68,  b.  Mass.,  75,  $1000;  Mrs.  David  60,  b.  Mass.;  Al- 
fred 41;  Mrs.  Sarah  Whitcomb  89,  b.  Mass. 

WHITNEY,  SAMUEL,  30,  b.  Mass.,  a  tanner,  65,  $1000;  Mrs.  Samuel  22,  b. 
Vt.;  Charles  E.  3  mos. 

WILBUR,  BARNEY,  34,  85,  $1000;  Mrs.  Barney  33;  Nelly  C.  10;  William  B. 
7;  Hannah  R.  5;  Harriet  I.  4;  Esther  M.  1. 

WILBUR,  CHANDLER,  39,  — ,  — ;  Mrs.  Chandler  37,  b.  Vt.;  Henry  L.  14; 
Caroline  12;  Nancy  12;  Mandana  8;  Chandler  6;  George  3. 

WILCOX,  ASA  Jr.,  69,  a  wheelwright;  Mrs.  Asa  Jr.,  55;  John  A.  25,  a  tan- 
ner. 

WILCOX,  GEORGE,  41,  a  wheelwright,  — ,  $1000;  Mrs.  George  32;  Henry 
18;  C.  Wharton  16;  Nancy  A.  7;  Mary  E.  9  mos. 

WILCOX,  HOLLIS,  40,  100,  $1400;  Mrs.  Hollis  36;  Sarah  L.  16;  George  H. 
13;  W.  Wallace  11;  E.  Jane  4  mos.;  Mrs.  Orinda  Nourse  72,  mother  of 
Hollis. 

WOODWARD,  EDMOND,  45,  150,  $2500;  Mrs.  Edmond  42;  Louisa  19;  Brad- 
ley 16;  Sarah  14;  Lewis  11;  John  9;  Linda  Pond  45. 

WRIGHT,  WILLIAM,  58,  70,  $1000;  Sally  65;  Catherine  56,  sisters  of 
"Billy." 

NOTE — The  above  census,  as  a  rule,  is  given  just  as  taken  by  the  Ass't 
Marshal  wthout  being  verfiied;  several  errors  have  been  discovered,  and  most 
probable  there  are  others. 

THE  INDUSTRY  OF  SURRY,  CENSUS  OF  1850 

DANIEL  CARPENTER;  grist  mill;  water  power;  12000  bush,  grain;  two 
men  emp.;  valuation  of  property  $1500. 

ALFRED  CASWELL;  saw  mill;  100,000  ft.  logs  annually;  water  power; 
two  men  emp.;  valuation  of  property  $1500. 

"CASWELL  &  CARPENTER";  bobbins;  (the  above  men  formed  this  com- 
pany) ;  water  power;  60  cords  birch;  two  men  emp.;  valuation  of  prop- 
erty $200. 

FRANCIS  BENTON;  blacksmith;  iron  and  steel  worker;  two  men;  hand 
power;  valuation  of  property  $500. 

SAMUEL  WHITNEY,  tanner;  1000  hides  annually;  horse  power;  two  men 
emp.;  valuation  of  property 


84 


History  of  Surry 


ASA  WILCOX,  wheelwright;  §125.00  oak  and  ash  timber  annually  used;  hand 

power;  l^/^  men  emp.;  valuation  of  property  §500. 
GEORGE  WILCOX,  wheelwright;  oak,  ash  and  other  timber  annually  used, 

|200;  hand  power;  two  men  employed;  valuation  of  property 


Live  stock  in  Surry  June  1,  1850;  Horses  105;  Work  oxen  98;  Milch  cows 
189;  Sheep  2373;  Swine  125. 

For  the  year  ending  June  1,  1850;  lbs.  butter  15500;  lbs.  cheese  8340;  lbs. 
maple  sugar  13855;  lbs.  honey  and  beeswax  610.     Lbs.  wool  for  the  year  6091. 

Town  paupers,  two;  four  schools  in  town;  166  pupils. 


Anderson,   Anders 

Ball,   Samuel 
Ball,    Ernest    W. 
Britton,   Carl  E. 
Britton,  Charles  H. 
Britton,  Edward  M. 
Britton,  Emma  J. 
Britton,  Erving  W. 
Britton,  George  E. 
Britton,  Prank  C.   (ab.) 
Br;tton,  Bertha  M. 
Britton.   Mary   E. 
Britton,   Sabrina  W. 
Britton,  Waldo  L. 
Britton,  Wallace  R. 
Britton,  Walter  H, 

Carpenter,  Earl  R. 
Carpenter,  Ernest  W. 
Carpenter,  Prank  D.  W. 
Carpenter,  Marion  G. 
Carpenter,  Mason  A. 
Carpenter,  Lucy  M. 
Cole,  Augustus  M. 
Conley,  George  B. 
Conley,  John  W., 
Grain,  Frederick  R. 
Grain,  Gertrude  J. 
Grain,  Gladys  M. 
Grain,  Grace  M. 
Grain,  Herbert  R. 
Grain,  Maude  G. 
Grain,  Melissa  C. 


Voters  in  Surry  1922 

Grain,  Robert  M. 
Curtis,  Leon  I. 
Davis,  Elmer  W.  S. 
Davis,  Loren  A. 
Davis,   William   O. 

Ellis,  Emma  A. 
Ellis,  Frank  E. 
Emmons,  Hattie  R. 

Field,   Francis  P. 
Field,  Theodore,  G. 
French,  Clarence  H. 
French,  Frank  E. 
French,  Margaret  M. 

Green,  Allen  L. 
Guillow,  Edward  J. 

Hall,    George    A. 
Harvey,  Ellen  H. 
Harvey,   Elizabeth   E. 
Harvey,  Hollis  W. 
Harvey,  James   E. 
Harvey,    Minnie 
Hodgkins,  Elizabeth  C. 
Hoclgkins,   Leon   A. 

Joslin,   Edward   H. 
Joslln,  George  H. 

Keller.  Jasper  N. 
Keller,  Betty   C. 
Kingsbury,  Frank  B. 
Kingsbury,   Mabel   H. 


Lewis,    Melville    C. 

Macumber,   Charles 
Malcomb,  George 
Mason,  Frank  E.  B. 
Martin,  Frederick  W. 
Morine,  William  S. 

Nesmith,  Frank  E. 
Newton,  Elsworth  S.  • 
Newton,  Harold  A. 
Newton,  Samuel  L. 

Perkins,   Adalaide   A. 
Perkins,  Clarence  E. 
Pomeroy,  Prank  E. 
Porter,  Henry  P. 
Porter,  Kate  H. 
Porter,  Myron  H. 

Ray,  George  W.  (ab.) 
Reed,  Mary  L. 
Royce,  Elisha 
Richardson,  Fred  E. 

Scripture,  Ellen  H. 
Scripture,  Harrison  N. 
Scripture,  Harrie  E. 
Smith,  Frank  L. 
Stillings.  Grace  E. 
Stillings,  James  V. 

Townsend,  Lester  E. 

Wilbur,  Alonzo  P. 


Population  Census 


85 


Wilbur,  Clifford  A. 
Wilbur,  Everett  E. 
Wilbur,    Florence   B. 


Wilbur,    Ina    M. 
Wilbur,   Willard  E. 
Wheeler,  Clifford  0. 

Harrie  E.   Scripture, 
George   Malcolm, 
Leon  A.  Hodgkins, 


Wheeler,  Perley  W. 
Wilcox,  Helen  J. 


Supervisors    of   the 
Checklist. 

Sept.  4,  1922. 


SURRY  VILLAGE 

Before  1850  Surry  village  contained  three  or  four  taverns,  three  stores,  six 
blacksmith  shops,  three  shoe  shops  and  one  hat  shop,  post-office,  school,  church, 
cemetery  and  25  dwelling  houses.  (The  shops  were  not  all  running  at  the 
same  time). 


WILCOXVILLE 

This  was  the  business  end  of  the  town  between  1800  and  1850.  There  were 
three  blacksmith  shops,  two  wheelwright  shops,  tannery,  two  cider  mills,  store, 
three  taverns,  the  first  post-office  in  town,  school-house,  fulling,  saw  and  grist 
mill ,  four  of  which  were  water-power  mills. 


CHAPTER  VII 

SURRY    DURING    THE    REVOLUTIONARY    WAR— STATE    MILITIA 

The  grievances  which  led  to  the  Revolutionary  war  are  well  known  and  need 
not  be  reviewed  in  connection  with  the  part  which  Surry  took  in  that  conflict. 
Paul  Revere  made  his  memorable  ride  from  Boston  to  Concord  on  the  night 
of  April  18th,  1775. 

"A  hurry  of  hoofs  in  a  village  street, 

A   shape   in   the   moonlight,   a   bulk   in   the   dark, 

And  beneath,  from  the  pebbles,  in  passing,  a  spark 
Struck  out  by  a  steed  flying  fearless  and  fleet." 

The  battles  of  Lexington  and  Concord  took  place  the  19th,  the  first  blood 
shed  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  The  alarm  was  spread  by  express  messen- 
gers in  all  directions,  bells  were  rung  and  neighbor  sent  word  to  neighbor. 
So  swift  were  those  messengers  that  they  reached  New  Ipswich,  60  miles 
away,  in  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day.  There  was  no  road,  it  is  said,  this 
side  of  that  town  except  a  bridle  path  through  the  woods  marked  by  trees,  yet 
Keene  was  reached  during  the  afternoon  of  the  20th,  and  Surry,  96  miles  from 
Boston,  before  night  fall. 

During  the  winter  of  1774-5  the  people  of  Surry  and  other  towns  were  in  a 
state  of  unrest;  the  dark  war  clouds  appeared  to  rise  higher  and  higher  as 
spring  came  on;  hostilities  appeared  inevitable.  Yet,  during  this  suspense 
and  anxiety,  the  inhabitants  stood  firm  and  loyal  with  the  colonies. 

The  news  of  Concord  fight  reached  this  town  by  a  man  riding  a  fleet  horse, 
bearing  a  red  flag  and  crying  the  alarm  as  he  went.  *William  Barron,  Sr., 
living  in  the  south  part  of  Surry,  had  nearly  finished  his  day's  work  of  build- 
ing a  wall  on  the  west  side  of  the  road  opposite  his  dwelling  house  when  the 
messenger  passed.  Mr.  Barron  immediately  unyoked  his  oxen  and  early  the 
next  morning  joined  the  Keene  company  which  marched  for  the  field  of  action. 

It  is  impossible  to  give  a  complete  and  satisfactory  list  and  history  of  all 
the  Revolutionary  soldiers  who  served  from  Surry,  or  those  who  resided  in 
town  prior  to  and  after  the  war. 

Aug.  25,  1775,  the  Provincial  Congress  "recomended  to  the  Select 
Men  of  the  several  Towns,  ...  to  take  an  exact  Number  of  the 
Inhabitants  of  their  respective  Districts,  including  every  soul  in  the 
Same,"  also  to  "return  the  Number  of  the  Fire  Arms  in  their  respective 
Districts  fit  for  use,  and  the  Number  wanting  to  compleet  one  for  every 
person  capable  of  using  them,  .  .  .  adding  there  to  the  Quantity  of 
Powder  in  each  place." 


*William    Barron    Sr.    lived   where    J.    N.    Keller   now    lives.     This    and    other    items    have 
been   given  by  a  descendant,   C.   E.   Barron   of  Westminster,   Mass. 


Surry  During  The  Revolutionary  War  87 

In  compliance  with  this  request  Surry  returned  the  following: 

New  Hampshire,  Cheshire  County,  Surry,  Sept.  ye  13,  a.  d.  1775  in 
obedience  to  the  Honorable  Provincial  Congress  we  have  taken  an  exact 
account  of  the  inhabitants  of  said  Surry  and  other  things  Recommended 
by  said  Congress; 

Males    under    16 59 

Males  from  16  years  old  to  50 37 

All  males  above  50  years  old 8 

Persons  gone   in   the   army 7 

All      females 104 


Total 215 

Guns 23 

Powder 5     Wt, 

Guns  wanted 22 

On  March  14th  1776  the  General  Congress  passed  a  resolution: 
"That  it  be  recommended  to  the  several  Assemblies,  Conventions  and 
Councils,  or  Committees  of  Safety  of  the  United  Colonies,  immediately 
to  cause  all  persons  to  be  disarmed,  within  their  respective  Colonies,  who 
are  notoriously  disaffected  to  the  cause  of  AMERICA." 

The  above  resolutions  were  received  in  New  Hampshire,  and  on  April  12th 
the  following  "Declaration"  or  "Association  Test"  was  transmitted  to  the 
selectmen  of  the  towns  throughout  the  whole  colony  of  New  Hampshire  by 
the  "Committee  of  Safety"  of  which  Meshech  Weare  was  chairman: 

The  Declaration. 
WE,  THE  SUBSCRIBERS,  DO  HEREBY  SOLEMNLY  ENGAGE 
AND  PROMISE,  THAT  WE  WILL,  TO  THE  UTMOST  OF  OUR 
POWER,  AT  THE  RISQUE  OF  OUR  LIVES  AND  FORTUNES, 
WITH  ARMS,  OPPOSE  THE  HOSTILE  PROCEEDINGS  OF  THE 
BRITISH  FLEETS  AND  ARMIES  AGAINST  THE  UNITED 
AMERICAN  COLONIES. 

Every  man  above  twenty-one  years  of  age  in  Surry  and  Gilsum  signed  this 
DECLARATION,  and  all  but  four  Tories  in  Alstead,  viz.:  Simon  Baxter,  Sr., 
Samuel  Chandler,  John  Thomson  and  Samuel  Miller.  The  Baxter  and  Thom- 
son families  were  later  connected  with  Surry  history. 

Names  of  those  in  Surry  who  signed  the  Association  Test: 

Woolston  Brockway  Moses  Ware 

Joshua  Darte,  Sr,  John  Marvin 

Samuel  Smith  Delevarn  Debelance  (Delance) 

Nathan  Hayward  Abel  Allen 

Jonathan  Carpenter  Eliphalet  Darte 

Jonathan  Smith,  Sr.  Ebenezer  Daniels 

Abia  Crane  Moses  Dickinson  Field 

Jonathan  Smith,  Jr.  Obadiah  Wilcox,  Jr. 


88  History  of  Surry 

Samuel  McCurdy  Thomas  Redding 

John  McCurdy  Tristey  (Trusty)   Chapins 

William  Hayward  Job  Gleason,  Sr, 

Joseph  Whitney  Job  Gleason,  Jr. 

Joshua  Darte,  Jr.  Abner  Skinner 

Nathaniel  Darte  Aaron   Chapin 

Thomas   Smith  Hiram  Chapin 

Peter  Hayward  Cornelius  Smith 

Ichabod  Smith  Thomas  Harvey 

Obadiah  Wilcox,  Sr.  Joshua  Fuller,  Jr. 

Joshua  Fuller,  Sr.  Nathan  Carpenter 

Thomas  Darte  Benjamin  Carpenter,  Sr. 

William  Barron  Charles  Rice  Total  42 

Province  of 


Cheshire  S.  S.,  Surry,  May  31st  A.  D.  1776. 
New  Hampshire    J 

In  compliance  with  the  within  Requiest  we  have  offered  the  same  to 
Every  person  Required  and  no  one  has  Refused  to  sign  it. 

Obadiah  Wilcox        ^ 

Thomas  Harvey         [.       SelecUnen. 

Thomas    Darte  I 

It  is  local  history  that  thirteen  influential  men  in  Keene  at  that  time  were 
"Tories,"  and  strongly  opposed  to  any  resistance  to  England's  rule,  and  these 
men  had  great  influence  in  that,  and  surrounding  towns.  According  to  the 
returns,  8,199  persons  in  the  colony  of  New  Hampshire  signed  this  "Test," 
while  only  773  persons  refused  to  sign. 

The  following  was  taken  from  Surry  town  records : 
Jan.  31,  1777.     "Voted  to  Raise  the  Sum  of  teen  pounds  to  purchase  a  Town 

Stock  of  Powder." 
Feb.   10.     Voted  that   "the  committee  of   Safety   Stand  till   our  next   March 

meeting."      Also   voted   that   no   person   or   persons   complained   of   "as 

Being  Enemical  to  the  Cuntry"  shall  be  convicted  until  a  hearing  can 

be  held. 
March   19.     Voted  to  raise  154  pounds  to  hire  five  men  to  go  into  the  Con- 

cinental  Army  for  three  years.     Also  that  each  man  shall  be  allowed 

ten  pounds  for  a  years  service  in  the  war,  and  so  in  porportion  for  a 

shorter  or  longer  period. 
March   25.     The  following  were   chosen   a   "Committee   of   Safety": — Joshua 

Darte,  Woolston  Brockway,  Thomas  Darte,  Moses  Dickinson  Field  and 

Jonathan  Smith,  Jr. 
March  31.     Voted  that  the  town  pay  24  pounds  bounty  in  addition  to  that 

paid  by  the  State  for  each  man  who  has  or  may  enlist  in  the  service 

for  three  years;  also  chose,  Woolston  Brockway,  Jonathan  Smith,  Sr., 

Peter  Hayward,  Thomas   Darte  and  Joshua   Fuller,   Sr.  to   assist  the 

Oflficers  in  raising  men  to  go  into  the  service. 


Surry  During  The  Revolutionary  War  89 

June  16.  Voted  to  choose  five  men  according  to  law  to  state  things  as  they 
are, — viz.,  Woolston  Brockway,  Peter  Hayward,  Joshua  Fuller,  Sr., 
Abel  Allen  and  William  Barron;  also  voted  that  Samuel  Fuller  shall 
be  allowed  as  the  rest  wei'e  if  he  serves  a  man  out  of  Siirry. 

March  31,  1778.  Voted  that  the  Selectmen  be  the  Committee  of  Safety  for 
the  year  insuing. 

July  5,  1779.  Voted  that  John  McCurdy  go  and  hire  two  men  for  the  Con- 
tinental Service. 

June  26,  1780.  Voted  "fhat  Each  man  that  has  Don  a  turn  in  the  Service  be 
alowed  at  the  Rate  of  teen  pounds  a  year,  Equal  to  wheat  at  five  Shil- 
lings pr  Bushell  or  other  Grain  of  its  equal," 

July  10.  Voted  not  to  allow  men  who  have  served  in  the  war  before  coming 
to  town  any  pay. 

Aug.  31.  Voted  to  allow  the  militia  as  well  as  the  Continental  soldiers  for 
services  at  Bennington,  for  the  present  year  A  d  1780: 

*Moses  D.  Field  £2-05-0  Benjamin  Carpenter,  Sr.     £2-10-0 

Eliphalet  Darte  2-05-0  Thomas  Smith  2-10-0 

John   McCurdy  2-05-0  Samuel  Smith  2-10-0 

William  Hayward  2-05-0  Asa  Wilcox,  Sr.  2-10-0 

Jonathan  Smith,  Jr.  2-05-0  Justus  Darte  2-10-0 

Feb.  5,  1781.  Chose  Capt.  Thomas  Harvey,  Jonathan  Smith,  Jr.,  and  Ensign 
Hiram  Chapin  to  be  a  committee  to  hire  three  men  to  serve  three  years 
or  during  the  war,  in  the  Continental  army. 

June  11.  Voted  to  give  the  five  men  we  have  to  furnish  as  our  cota  for  the 
defence  of  the  Northern  frontier  one  pound  pr  month,  equal  to  silver, 
to  be  paid  by  the  town,  and  Capt.  Thomas  Harvey,  Dea.  Lemuel 
Holmes  and  Jonathan  Smith,  Jr.  were  chosen  a  committee  to  procure 
the  five  men;  also  voted  to  give  Stephen  Carpenter  his  rate  of  £14-05-0 
§and  to  give  or  discharge  Job  Gleason  for  100  pounds. 

July  23.  Voted  to  hire  three  men  to  go  to  guard  the  Frontier  and  serve  until 
Dec.  15th  next. 

May  29,  1782.  Voted  to  raise  three  soldiers  for  the  Continental  army,  and  to 
give  theiii: 

For  one  years  service,  20  one  year  old  heifers. 
For  two  years  service,  20  two  year  old  heifers. 
For  three  years  service,  20  three  year  old  heifers. 
Also  chose  Capt.  Jonathan  Smith,  Lieut.  John  McCurdy  and  Lieut. 
Moses  Dickinson  Field  as  a  committee  to  hire  Sd  soldiers. 

July  4.     Voted  that  Ichabod  Smith  have  £30  for  the  higher  of  Darius  Smeed, 
and  to  be  excused  from  paying  anything  towards   hiring  soldiers  for 
this  year. 
**  The  two  following  undated  accounts  have  been  found  among  the  loose  pa- 
pers in  the  town  and  as  they  appear  of  interest,  a  copy  follows : 


*This   list   of  men  who   served  at  Bennington   is   not   found   in   N.   H.    State  Papers. 
§This   sum   was   doubtless   for   service  in   the  war. 
''*Miss  Minnie  Harvey  of  Surry  has  in  her  hands   the  above  papers. 


90 


History  of  Surry 


a  Return  of  Bounties  paid  to  Soldiers  at  the  Cambridge  Alarm 

in   the   Year   1775   for   Seven   men £  70 

for  the  year  Service  in   1775     

for  the  year  Service  in   1776 

for  the  year   1777  for  three   men  to  serve   three   years     172 
and   two   men    to    Bennington 

The  above  was  paid  in  Lawful  Silver  money 
For  the  year   1778 — paid   in   paper   money     .... 
for   the    year    1779 — paid    in    paper    money     .... 

for  the  year   1780 — paid   in   paper     

for  the  year  1781,  for  four  men,  paid  in  hard  money 

6   men   going   to   Royalston    (Vt.) 124 

The  State  of  New  Hampshire  Dr 

to  sundries 


70 

0 

0 

76 

0 

0 

6 

12 

.  0 

172 

0 

.  0 

41 

10 

0 

252 

0 

:  0 

40 

0 

:  0 

720 

0 

:  0 

276 

14 

:  0 

124 

02 

:  0 

to  John  McCurdy  Seven  pounds  paid  to     ...     in  1776. 

to  Simon  Baxter  £60  paid  to  Walton  in  1777. 

to  John  McCurdy  £1-10  paid  to  dellance  1777. 

to  Joshua  Fuller  acct  £6-00  Losses  at  Bennington. 

to  John  McCurdy  £12-00  S.  Fuller  1777. 

to  Eliphalet  Darte  £1-10  paid  to  S.  Hayward  1777. 

to  John  Marvin  £1-00  J.  Carpenter  1782. 

to  Eliphalet  Darte  £4-0-0  Asa  Willcox  1777. 

to  Nathan  Carpenter  £6-0-0  Nathan  Hayward  1777. 

to  Jona  Smith  £2-14-4  Jona  Carpenter  1777. 

Abijah  Benton's  accompt  against  the  State  for  loses  Sustained  in  the 
Retreat  from  Quebec  to  Crown  point  is  £5-10-0 

To  Jonathan  Smith  £2. 

Attested  by  Capt.  Harvey. 

To  the  amt  of     .     .     Rob    (Role)   in  favor  of  the  town  of  Surry  com- 
manded  Capt.    Page— Or   To   Capt.    Smith    1800    dollars   in    1780— 

paid  Samuel  Willard. 

to  the  amt  of     .     .     Role  on  Royalston    (Vt.)    expedition  in   1780,  for 

sixteen  men  and  horses  and  their  expense £5-02-6. 

Probably  seven  Surry  men  served  at  the  Cambridge  Alarm,  some  of  whom 
were  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  They  were  in  Capt.  Jeremiah  Stiles'  com- 
pany of  Keene  and  in  Col.  Paul  Dudley  Sargent's  regiment,  Aug.  1st.  1775. 
The  names  of  six  of  those  men  are  given  in  Keene  History,  viz: —  Elijah 
Benton,  Thomas  Dart  and  his  brother  Roger  Dart,  Joshua  Fuller,  Nathan 
Hayward  and  Charles  Rice  who  was  wounded  in  that  battle.  Jonathan  Smith, 
Jr.  who  enl.  May  12,  1775;  dis.  Oct.  16,  1775,  in  Capt.  Nathan  Folsom's  com- 
pany. Col.  Joseph  Blanchard's  regiment  was  probably  the  other  Surry  man. 

In  September,  1776,  the  New  Hampshire  Assembly  passed  the  "Military 
act"  which  provided  for  the  organization  of  all  male  persons,  (with  certain 
exceptions),  into  "Training  Bands"  and  an  "Alarm  List."  The  former  com- 
prised able  bodied  male  persons  from  16  to  50  years  of  age,  and  the  latter  all 
males  from  16  to  65  years  of  age,  not  included  in  the  Training  Band.     When- 


Surry  During  The  Revolutionary  War  91 

ever  there  was  occasion,  an  alarm  was  given  by  firing  three  guns  in  succes- 
sion; by  beating  drums,  or  by  beacons. 

As  soon  as  the  weather  conditions  were  favorable  in  the  spring  of  1777  the 
British  army  made  preparation  to  march  south  toward  Ticonderoga.  About 
the  first  of  May  express  riders  came  into  New  Hampshire  giving  information 
of  this  movement;  the  state  Committee  of  Safety  immediately  sent  orders  to 
the  colonels  of  the  militia  in  Cheshire  county  to  raise  as  many  men  from  the 
"Militia  as  possible  and  march  them  to  Ticonderoga"  which  was  in  great  dan- 
ger. Capt.  Davis  Howlett  of  Keene,  with  Elisha  Mack  of  Gilsum  as  first  lieu- 
tenant, was  in  command  of  the  first  company  in  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  regi- 
ment. The  fifty  men  which  formed  this  company  were  called  together,  en- 
listed and  marched  May  7th.  This  proved  to  be  a  false  alarm  and  the  soldiers 
returned  home  in  about  40  days  without  an  opportunity  to  engage  in  battle 
with  the  enemy. 

The  following  Surry  men  were  in  this  company,  possibly  there  were  others: 
Jonathan  Carpenter,  Joshua  Darte,  Josiah  Darte,  Obadiah  Wilcox,  Jr.,  and 
Jesse  Darte  went  as  fifer. 

The  troops  who  returned  from  Ticonderoga  had  scarcely  been  discharged, 
when  express  riders  again  came  with  tidings  of  the  actual  approach  of  Bur- 
goyne's  army.  The  New  Hampshire  militia  and  all  available  men  were  has- 
tily called  out  to  again  march  to  reinforce  the  Continental  army  at  Ticon- 
deroga. * 

Elisha  Mack  of  Gilsum  was  appointed  captain  of  a  company  that  was 
raised  out  of  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  regiment,  with  Ebenezer  Kilburn  as  first 
lieutenant.  This  company  was  composed  almost  wholly  of  men  from  Surry 
and  Gilsum,  and  marched  June  28,  1777. 

**  They  marched  to  Black  River  (in  Vt.),  50  miles  when  they  were  met  by 
an  express  rider  with  the  information  that  this  alarm  also  was  false  and  the 
company  returned  home  and  were  discharged  July  3d  after  a  march  of  100 
miles.  The  next  day  an  express  rider  came  with  orders  to  march  "with  all 
speed  for  Ticonderoga."  Capt.  Mack  immediately  started  with  some  new  men 
and  many  of  those  who  had  been  discharged  the  previous  day.  This  time  they 
went  as  far  as  §Col.  James  Mead's  on  Otter  creek  when  they  met  the  Contin- 
ental army  on  the  retreat,  it  having  evacuated  Ticonderoga,  whereupon  Capt. 
Mack  and  his  company  returned,  arriving  home  July  10th,  after  a  march  of 
150  miles. 

The  following   "pay  roll"   of   Capt.   Mack's   company   is   taken   from   New 
Hampshire  State  Papers,  with  additional  "remarks"  by  the  writer: 
(Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.) 
Pay  roll  of  Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Company  raised  out  of  Col.   (Samuel) 
Ashley's    regiment   of   militia    June    1777    for    reinforcing   the    Contin- 
ental army  at  Ticonderoga;  marched  to  Black  river  50  miles  where  we 
were  ordered  to  return  home  where  we  arrived  July  3rd.    On  the  4th  we 
were  ordered  again  for  Ticonderoga  and  marched  as  far  as  Col.  Mead's 
at  Otter  creek  at  which  place  we  met  part  of  the  army  on  their  retreat, 
on  which  we  returned  home  where  we  arrived  the  10th. 


*Ticoncleroga    is   usually   written,    "Ti",   or    "Old    Ti". 

**They    marched    via.     Oharlestown     and     the    famous     "Crown     Point"     route.       This     trip 
probably   terminated   within   the   present   township   of    Cavendish. 

§Col.' James   Mead  resided  near   Center  Rutland,   Vt.,   and   on   Otter   creek. 


92  History  of  Surry 


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Surry  During  The  Revolutionary  War  93 


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94  History  of  Surry 

The  total  58  men  received  for  services,  £217    :   03    :  03. 

The  ninth  company,  under  Col.  Moses  Nichols  of  Amherst  marched  from 
New  Hampshire  July  22,  1777  and  joined  the  Continental  army  at  Saratoga. 
This  company  was  in  the  battle  of  Bennington,  Aug.  16th,  and  three  of  its 
members  were  killed,  one  of  whom  was  Joshua  Fuller,  Jr.  of  Surry.  Surry 
men  in  that  company  were: 

Moses  D.  Field,  2nd  Lieut.  Job  Gleason,  Private. 

Samuel   Fuller,  Sergt.  Samuel  Hall,  Private. 

Asa   Wilcox,   Sr.,   Corpl.  John  Redding,  Private. 

Nathan    Hayward,   Corpl.  Jonathan   Smith,  Jr.,  Private. 

Joshua  Fuller,  Jr.,  Private. 
This  company  was  discharged  Sept.  22,  and  was  paid  for  two  months 
and  two  days'  services.  It  is  said  that  during  the  battle  of  Bennington  Sam- 
uel Fuller  got  out  of  powder  and  was  in  search  of  more,  when  he  discovered 
his  father's  powder  horn  and  found  it  to  be  on  the  lifeless  body  of  his  brother 
Joshua,  Jr.  So  far  as  known,  he  was  the  only  Surry  man  to  fall  in  battle 
during  the  Revolutionary  war.     He  was  22  years  of  age. 

It  is  a  well  authenticated  tradition  that  the  boom  of  the  cannon  at  the  bat- 
tle of  Bennington  was  distinctly  heard  by  men  in  Surry  who  were  at  work 
reaping  rye  on  the  "Hartwell  lot,"  so  called,  only  a  few  rods  from  the  south- 
east corner  of  Walpole. 

Tradition  says  that  3000  Revolutionary  soldiers  marched  from  Surry  val- 
ley up  the  Joslin  road  on  their  way  to  the  battle  and  when  they  came  to  the 
John  Merriam  farm  in  the  edge  of  Walpole  they  drank  his  well  dry.* 

The  following  alphabetical  list  has  been  compiled  of  soldiers  who  lived  in 
Surry,  prior  to,  during,  or  after  the  Revolutionary  war,  together  with  a  few 
men  living  elsewhere,  but  whose  services  were  credited  to  this  town.  The 
facts  are  given  as  complete  as  possible,  yet  no  pretense  is  made  that  this  is 
the  entire  list,  or  that  errors  do  not  appear: 

ADAMS.  Thomas  was  b.  about  1750;  d.  1826  in  Surry;  must'd  in  Sept.  21, 
1776  in  Capt.  Abijah  Smith's  Co.  was  taken  out  of  Col.  Enoch  Hale's  Reg.  and 
put  into  Col.  Nahum  Baldwin's  Reg.  He  was  at  the  battle  of  White  Plains 
Oct.  28,  1776  and  was  dismissed  early  in  Dec.  on  that  year;  also  enl.  as  a 
private  Dec.  5,  1776  in  Capt.  Francis  Town's  Co.  Col.  David  Oilman's  Reg. 
and  served  3  mos.  and  8  days.  Enl.  for  3  years,  or  during  the  war  in  Capt. 
Daniel  Livermore's  Co.  Col.  Alexander  Scammon's  Reg.,  Apr.  9,  1777,  and 
deserted  Apr.  10,  1777.  Possibly  he  was  the  "Sargt."  of  Charlestown,  N.  H. 
who  was  in  the  service  in  Massachusetts. 

-|-  ADAMS.  Peter  a  negro,  was  credited  to  Surry,  though  it  is  not  known 
he  ever  lived  in  town.  He  was  5  feet  10  inches  tall;  enl.  June  11,  1778  in  Col. 
Benj.  Bellows'  Reg.  and  went  to  R.  I.  and  returned  in  one  month;  enl.  again 
July  17,  1778  in  Capt.  Peter  Drown's  Co.  Col.  Stephen  Peabody's  Reg.  and 
dis.  Dec.  30,  1778.     He  and  John  Still  (q  v)  served  in  same  Co.  at  R.  I. 

-I-  ALLEN.  Abel,  Jr.  b.  1756;  d.  1839;  enl.  June  28,  1777;  dis.  July  10, 
1777;  a  private  in  Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.  which  marched  for  "Ti."   (q  v). 


*George  Akirich  speaks   of   this   incident  on   page  331   in   his   history  of   Walpole. 
NOTE:      The   plus    sign    (-|-)    indicates    the   soldier   served    from    Surry.. 


Surry  During  The  Revolutionary  War  95 

It  is  claimed  he  went  to  the  battle  of  Bennington  with  his  ox  team  and  car- 
ried provisions  for  the  soldiers.  He  was  on  the  pension  roll  in  1829  and 
received  a  pension  for  services  as  a  private  in  a  N.  H.  Reg.  during  the  Rev. 
war. 

ALLEN.  Phinehas,  b.  1758;  d.  1815  in  Surry;  served  as  a  private  in  a 
Conn.  Co. 

-|-  BARRON.  William,  Sr.,  (this  name  is  frequently  written,  "Barnes"); 
he  came  to  Surry  several  years  before  the  War;  d.  1797.  No  record  of  the 
service  of  William  Barron,  Sr.  has  been  found  among  the  State  Papers,  yet 
it  is  a  well  established  family  tradition  that  he  not  only  was  in  the  service  but 
his  patriotism  was  above  most  others  of  the  time;  that  upon  hearing  the  news 
of  the  battle  at  Concord  he  immediately  prepared  for  the  conflict  and  marched 
with  the  Keene  company  "on  that  Friday  morning,  the  21st  of  April,  1775" 
under  the  command  of  Capt.  Isaac  W^man.  Gen.  Griffin  in  his  History  of 
Keene  (page  174)  states  there  were  four  men  in  that  company  "still  to  be 
accounted  for."  Charles  Rice  who  was  living  a  third  of  a  mile  beyond  Mr, 
Barron's  house  is  known  to  have  been  in  the  company,  and  there  seems  no 
reasonable  doubt  but  one  of  those  four  unknown  men  of  whom  Gen.  Griffin 
mentions  was  William  Barron,  Sr.  of  Surry.  He  was,  however,  a  private  in 
Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  company  which  marched  for  old  "Ti,"  in  1777;  enl.  June 
28,  dnd  dis.  July  10th. 

-|-  BARRON.  William,  Jr.,  b.  1765  in  Surry;  d.  1851  in  Leominster, 
Mass.  His  service  has  not  been  discovered  in  the  rolls.  There  is,  however, 
no  doubt  but  that  he  served  in  the  Rev.  war.  He  was  on  the  pension  roll  in 
1833,  and  again  in  1840  at  which  time  he  was  living  in  Gilsum.  It  is  said  he 
enl'd.  for  6  months  when  but  16  years  of  age,  in  Capt.  Peter  Page's  Co.,  Col. 
Walbridge's  Reg. 

BAXTER.  Simon,  Jr.,  b.  1753;  d.  1817;  enl.  from  Alstead  in  Capt.  Samuel 
Wetherbee's  Co.  Col.  Isaac  Wyman's  Reg.  to  join  the  Northern  army  in  Can- 
ada. Mustered  in  July  16,  1776;  dis.  Aug.  20,  1776.  He  was  allowed  £2:05:0 
for  going  to  Cambridge,  prior  to  1782.  He  rem.  to  Surry  a  few  years  after 
the  close  of  the  war,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  Probably  for 
service  in  the  militia  he  was  known  as  "Capt.  Baxter." 

-I-  BENTON.  Abijah;  b.  1752;  d.  1823,  Surry.  He  was  a  drummer  in 
the  service  in  Oct.  1775;  also  in  Capt.  Jason  Wait's  Co.,  Timothy  Bedel's  Reg. 
in  Feb.  1776,  which  Reg.  contained  8  companies  and  was  ordered  to  join  the 
Northern  army  for  Canada.  His  Co.  was  mustered  in  Jan.  1776  and  he  was 
made  drummer.  In  Feb.  he  rec'd.  £4:19:0  for  services.  His  name  appears 
on  the  pension  roll  in  1818  as  a  private  who  served  in  a  N.  H.  Reg.  in  the 
Contl.  army.  A  grand-daughter,  Louisa  (Benton)  Norton,  says  he  served 
seven  years  and  was  at  the  battle  of  Bennington,  and  was  drum  major  at 
Yorktown  and  Williamsburg  when  Lord  Cornwall  surrendered  to  Gen.  Wash- 
ington. John  Langdon  Britton,  a  grandson,  was  drum  major  on  the  same 
battlefield,  Williamsburg,  during  the  Civil  war.  It  is  possible  he  is  the  man 
mentioned  on  the  pension  roll  in  1818  as  res.  in  Strafford  Co. 

John  Langdon  Britton,  a  grand-son  of  Benton,  was  drum  major  at  Wil- 
liamsburg during  the  Civil  war. 


96  History  of  Surry 

BENTON.  Adoniram;  b.  1763;  d.  1842  in  Surry;  enl.  in  a  Conn.  Co.  and 
res.  1818  in  Cheshire  Co.  and  rec'd  a  pension  for  services,  as  a  private. 

-|-  BENTON.  Elijah,  b.  1760;  d.  1841.=^=  Enl.  July  14,  1775  as  pri.  in 
Capt.  Jeremiah  Stiles'  Co.,  Col.  Paul  Dudley  Sargent's  Reg.  On  the  same  day 
he  enl.,  four  other  Surry  men  also  entered  the  service — Nathan  Hayward, 
Thomas  Dart,  Roger  Dart  and  Joshua  Fuller.*  It  is  said  he  served  four  years 
in  the  Rev.  war. 

BLAKE.  Obadiah,  Jr.,  b.  1753;  was  of  Keene,  but  came  to  Surry  as  early 
as  1781  at  which  time  he  was  chosen  one  of  the  "Listers."  He  was  Corpl.  in 
Capt.  Davis  Howlett's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg.  which  marched  from 
N.  H.  May  7,  1777;  dis.  June  17,  1777  and  served  1  mo.  11  days. 

BLISS.  Abner,  b.  1752  in  Tolland,  Conn.;  lived  in  Gilsum,  Surry  and  d. 
in  Alstead  1812;  was  a  physician.  He  enl.  as  a  private  June  28,  1777;  dis. 
July  10,  1777;  in  Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.  which  marched  to  the  relief  of  Ti. 

-  -  BONNE Y.  Jacob,  was  of  Charlestown,  N.  H.  but  enl.  from  Surry  Apr. 
19,  1777,  age  38,  in  Capt.  Isaac  Farwell's  Co.;  CoL  Joseph  Cilley's  Reg.  and 
John  Stark's  Brigade.  His  enl.  also  given  as  May  20,  1777.  He  was  dis. 
July  17,  1778  and  died  the  same  month.  His  name  is  also  found  in  the  1st 
N.  H.  Regt.  with  that  of  Joshua  Church,  Anthony  Oilman  and  Samuel  Lus- 
:omb  of  Surry. 

BROCKWAY.  William;  this  man  is  doubtless  William  Wolston  Brock- 
way,  son  of  Wolston  Brockway  of  Surry,  and  the  same  man  who  signed  the 
Association  Test  in  Westmoreland  1776,  and  from  which  town  he  entered  the 
war.     Enl.  Oct.  21,  1776;  dis.  Nov.  16,  1776  in  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg. 

BUNDY.    Elias,  b.  1754;  d.  .    He  enl.  from  Walpole  June  28,  1777;  dis. 

July  9,  1777;  was  in  Co.,  which  his  bro.  Isaac  was  Sergt. ;  Col.  Benjamin  Bel- 
lows Regt.  which  marched  to  the  relief  of  Ti.  He  res.  in  Walpole  till  1790  or 
later  and  in  1806  was  living  in  Surry. 

-j-  CAREY.  Arthur,  of  Keene  served  from  Surry;  enl.  Dec.  5,  1776; 
served  three  mos.  and  8  days  in  Capt.  Francis  Town's  Co.,  David  Oilman's 
Reg.  Was  at  the  battle  of  Trenton  Dec.  26,  and  at  Princeton  Jan.  3,  1777. 
Enl.  again  June  15,  1778  in  Capt.  Simon  Marston's  Co.  Col.  Stephen  Pea- 
body's  Reg.,  but  was  reported,  "sick  and  did  not  join."  Later  he  joined  an- 
other Co.  in  the  same  Reg.,  July  7,  1778  and  went  to  Providence  for  the  de- 
fence of  Rhode  Island,  and  was  under  the  command  of  Gen.  Sullivan;  dis. 
Dec.  30,  1778.  He  re-enl.  July  1779  in  Col.  Mooney's  Reg.  for  the  defen.  of 
R.  I.;  credited  to  Surry;  though  probably  never  lived  in  town. 

-j-  CARPENTER.  Benjamin,  Sr.,  b.  1729;  d.  Landgrove,  Vt.,  June  1820. 
He  lived  in  Surry  many  years  and  enl.  June  28,  1777;  dis.  July  10,  1777  in 
Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg.  which  went  to  the  relief 
of  old  Ti.     Served  from  Surry. 

-!-  CARPENTER.  Benjamin,  Jr.,  b.  1760;  d.  1838  in  Surry.  His  service 
was  from  Surry  and  same  as  that  of  his  father,  q  v.  He  enl.  again  1780;  age 
20;  was  mustered  in  by  Maj.  William  Scott;  dis.  Dec.  17,  1780;  served  5  mo. 
29  d. 


*It  is  iiii|i()ssil)Ie  for  the  writer  to  state  if  Elijah  Benton,  Thomas  Dart  and  Joshua 
Fuller,  were  the  senior  or  junior,  as  both  father  and  son  of  the  same  name  were  living 
in   town   at    tht-  time,  and   were  of  war  age. 


Surry  During  The  Revolutionary  War  97 

CARPENTEH.  David,  b.  1759;  d.  1845  in  Keene;  when  about  16  he  vol. 
and  joined  the  Cont.  army  and  was  at  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne  and  several 
battles,  and  one  of  the  guards  at  the  execution  of  Major  Andre.  He  lived  at 
Landgrove,  Vt.  for  18  years;  res.  in  Surry  1823  and  rem.  to  Keene  where  he 
died.      (See  Carpenter  Memorial  and  History  of  Keene.) 

-j-  CARPENTER.  Jonathan;  he  d.  in  Surry  June  14,  1832;  possibly  he 
was  the  Jonathan  b.  in  Ashford,  Conn.  Apr.  11,  1752 — Carpenter  Mem.  q  v. 
He  enl.  July  4,  1777;  dis.  July  10,  1777,  was  in  Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.;  Col. 
Samuel  Ashley's  Reg.  which  went  to  relief  of  old  Ti.  He  was  also  a  private 
from  May  7,  1777  until  June  23,  1777  in  Capt.  Davis  Howlet's  Co.,  which 
marched  from  Keene  on  May  7th,  in  which  Co.  was  Obadiah  Wilcox,  Josiah 
Dart  and  Nathan  Hayward,  also  of  Surry.  He  re-enl.  July  26,  1782  as  Sergt.; 
dis.  Oct.  15,  1782,  in  a  Co.  in  command  of  Capt.  Jonathan  Smith,  Jr.  of  Surry. 

CARPENTER.  Nathan,  b.  about  1750;  res.  Surry  1776  till  1789  when  he 
rem.  to  Keene  and  probably  then  to  Jay,  N.  Y.  Enl.  July  3,  1780  from  Wal- 
pole;  dis.  Dec.  4,  1780;  in  the  Continental  army.  He  was  on  the  pay  roll  of 
Capt.  William  Humphrey's  Co.  in  Northern  army — no  date  given. 

-|-  ?  CARPENTER.  Stephen,  son  of  Benjamin  Sr.  lived  in  Westmoreland 
and  Surry.  June  11,  1781  the  town  voted  to  "give  Stephen  Carpenter  his 
rate  of  £14:05:0."  For  what  this  payment  was  made  is  not  known,  but  there 
is  reason  to  suspect  that  it  was  for  some  service  in  the  Revolutionary  war. 

CONANT.  Roger,  was  of  Surry  and  also  of  Westmoreland  in  which  town 
he  was  living  1776  and  signed  the  Association  Test.  He  is  probably  the  Roger 
Conant,  b.  June  22,  1748  in  Bridgewater,  Mass.  and  d.  in  Westmoreland  in 
1821 — Conant  Genealogy,  q  v.  Enl.  from  Westmoreland,  May  7,  1777  in  Capt. 
Waitstill  Scott's  Co.;  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg.  which  was  sent  to  Ti.,  and 
was  appointed  corporal  in  that  Co.  This  proved  to  be  a  false  alarm,  and  the 
Co.  soon  returned  home  and  were  dis.  June  21,  1777. 

-|-  CHAPIN.  Hiram,  b.  1747;  d.  1783  in  Surry.  Enl.  Oct.  21,  1776;  dis. 
Nov.  16,  1776;  was  an  ensign  in  Capt.  Reuben  Alexander's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel 
Ashley's  Reg.;  which  marched  to  reinforce  the  Contl.  army  at  Ti. 

-|-  CHAPIN.  Justus,  b.  1753;  d.  1825.  Enl.  Sept.  22,  1776;  dis.  early  in 
Dec.  of  that  year;  was  in  Capt.  John  Houghton's  Co.,  Col.  Nahum  Baldwin's 
Reg.;  was  in  the  battle  of  White  Plains,  Oct.  28,  1776. 

-|-  CHURCH.  Joshua,  he  was  of  Surry  and  enl.  March  18,  1777;  1st.  N. 
H.  Reg.;  age  33;  was  in  Capt.  Jonas  Wait's  Co.,  Col.  Timothy  Bedell's  Reg.; 
also  in  Capt.  Nathan  Hutchins'  Co.,  Col.  Joseph  Cilley's  Reg.  and  was  at  Ti. 
His  name  also  appears  as  enl.  from  Chester,  N.  Y.,  June  21,  1777.  Date  of  his 
dis.  Apr.  30,  1780. 

-|-  CRANE  (CRAIN).  Abiah,  b.  1751;  d.  1805  in  Surry;  was  in  Capt. 
John  Houghton's  Co.,  Col.  Baldwin's  Reg.,  Sept.  22,  1776;  also  Corpl.  May  7^ 
1777;  dis.  June  16,  1777  in  Capt.  Davis  Howlet's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's 
Reg.,  which  marched  to  reinf.  the  Contl.  army  at  Ti.  He  is  also  called  "Capt."' 
in  this  Co.     His  name  is  written,  "Abia,"  "Abiel"  and  "Abiah." 

-I-  DART  (DARTE).  Eliphalet,  b.  1741;  d.  1821  in  Surry.  His  name 
appears  in  a  list  with  others  to  whom  the  town  voted  Aug.  31,  1780  to  pay 
£2:05:0  "for  services  at  Bennington."     No  other  record  of  his  service  in  the 


98  History  of  Surry 

Rev.  war  has  been  found,  and  from  the  foregoing  there  is  no  reason  to  doubt 
that  he  was  in  the  war  at  Bennington  for  a  short  time  from  Surry. 

-|-  ?  DART  (DARTE).  Jesse,  b.  1758;  d.  1829  in  Gilsum.  Although  it 
is  not  positively  known,  yet  there  is  reason  to  think  Jesse  lived  in  Surry  prior 
to  his  settling  in  Gilsum  in  1780.  He  enl.  July  4,  1777;  dis.  July  10,  1777; 
in  Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg.  which  was  sent  for 
the  relief  of  old  Ti.,  but  saw  no  actual  service,  except  150  miles  of  travel.  He 
also  was  a  fifer  in  Capt.  Davis  Howlett's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg.  and 
served  from  May  7,  1777,  and  for  about  40  days,  thereafter;  dis.  June  16. 

-1-  DART  (DARTE).  Joshua,  Sr.,  b.  1727;  d.  possibly  in  Weathersfield, 
Vt.  where  he  was  living  in  1790.  He  enl.  May  7,  1777;  dis.  in  June  after  a 
service  of  about  40  days;  in  Capt.  Davis  Howlett's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's 
Reg. 

-|-  DART  (DARTE).  Josiah,  b.  1759;  d.  possibly  in  Weathersfield,  Vt., 
where  he  was  living  in  1790.  He  enl.  May  7,  1777  in  Capt.  Davis  Howlett's 
Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg.;  served  about  40  days.  Re-enl.  July  4,  1777; 
dis.  July  10,  1777;  in  Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg. 

-j-  DART  (DARTE).  Justus,  b.  1757;  went,  possibly  to  Weathersfield. 
He  was  a  fifer,  enl.  July  14,  1776  in  Capt.  Samuel  Wetherbee's  Co.,  Col.  Isaac 
Wyman's  Reg.;  was  at  Haverhill  on  the  Conn,  river  (in  N.  H.)  ;  was  also  at 
Mount  Independence  Nov.  5,  1776  in  the  same  Co.;  enl.  again  June  28,  1777; 
dis.  July  3,  1777;  in  Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.  raised  out  of  Col.  Samuel  Ash- 
ley's Reg.  to  reinforce  the  Contl  army  at  old  Ti.  By  a  vote  of  the  town,  Aug. 
31,  1780,  he  was  paid  £2:10:0,  for  services  at  Bennington. 

-|-  DART  (DARTE).  Nathaniel,  b.  1738;  when  and  where  he  d.  has  not 
been  ascertained,  but  his  family  are  buried  in  Surry.  Enl.  Oct.  21,  1776;  dis. 
Nov.  16,  1776;  in  Reuben  Alexander's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg.  which 
marched  to  re-inf.  the  Contl  army  at  Ti. 

-|-  DART.  Roger,  b.  1756;  rem.  about  1785  to  Gilsum  where  he  was  in 
1790.  He  enl.  with  his  bro.  Thomas  Jr.,  July  14,  1775;  in  Capt.  Jeremiah 
Stiles'  Co.,  Col.  Paul  Dudley  Sargent's  Reg.  and  served  in  Mass.;  re-enl.  Oct. 
6,  1775  in  the  same  Co.  and  Reg.  He  enl.  again  as  drummer  June  28,  1777; 
dis.  July  10,  1777  in  Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg.  which 
marched  to  the  relief  of  Ti.     His  name  is  also  in  the  Mass.  rolls. 

-|-  DART.  Thomas,  Sr.  b.  1724;  d.  1792  prob.  in  Gilsum.  Enl.  June  28, 
1777;  dis.  July  3,  1777;  in  Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg. 
which  was  sent  to  Ti.  He  served  on  the  "Committee  of  Safety"  in  Surry  in 
1777. 

-|-  DART.  Thomas,  Jr.  b.  1754;  rem.  to  Gilsum  about  1786;  thence  to 
New  Keene,  N.  Y.,  where  he  may  have  died.  Enl.  with  his  bro.  Roger  July 
14,  1775;  in  Jeremiah  Stiles'  Co.,  Col.  Paul  Dudley  Sargent's  Reg.  He  is  said 
to  have  been  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  Re-enl.  June  28,  1777;  dis.  July 
3,  1777;  in  Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg.  which  marched 
to  Ti.  The  name  of  Thomas  Dart  of  Surry  appears  as  a  private  in  the  Mass. 
rolls  and  is  probably  this  man. 

-I-     DART.     Thomas,  3rd.,  from  whence  he  came  and  whither  he  went  has 


Surry  During  The  Revolutionary  War  99 

not  been  learned.  He  enl.  June  28,  1777;  dis.  July  10,  1777  in  Capt.  Elisha 
Mack's  Co.,  raised  out  of  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg.  and  served  in  same  Co. 
with  Thomas  Sr.  and  Thomas  Jr.     Served,  probably  from  Surry. 

DASSANCE.  Martin,  was  a  bro.  of  Jesse;  both  were  in  Keene  in  1779, 
and  in  1784  both  were  of  Surry.  Martin  lived  here  till  1788,  and  may  have 
rem.  to  Shrewsbury,  Vt.,  where  a  "Martin  Deasanee"  is  found  in  1790.  Mar- 
tin enl.  in  Capt.  Davis-  Howlett's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg.  which 
marched  May  7,  1777  for  the  relief  of  Ti.;  dis.  June  24,  1777;  serv.  1  mo.,  18 
days. 

DASSANCE,  Jesse,  b.  1747;  d.  1796  in  Surry.  He  enl.  from  Keene  Apr. 
21,  1775  in  Capt.  Jeremiah  Stiles'  Co.,  Col.  Paul  Dudley  Sargent's  Reg.  and 
was  one  of  30  men  in  that  Co.  who  marched  "on  that  Friday  morning,"  only 
two  days  after  the  opening  of  the  war.  He  enl.  again  in  Capt.  Davis  How- 
lett's Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg.  which  marched  from  Keene  May  7,  1777 
for  the  relief  of  Ti.  He  rem.  to  Surry  after  the  war  and  was  taxed  there  in 
1788. 

-1-  DELLANCE  (DELELANCE).  Delevan  (Delavarne),  b.  Champlain, 
N.  Y.  prob.;  d.  in  Essex,  N.  Y.  Enl.  June  28,  1777;  dis.  July  10,  1777;  was 
sergt.  in  Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg.  which  marched 
for  the  relief  of  old  Ti.;  res.  in  Surry  1771-1795,  or  later. 

-j-  DODGE.  Thomas;  he  lived  in  Acworth  after  the  war  and  rem.  thence 
to  Dorset,  Vt. ;  served  from  Surry,  but  so  far  as  known  never  lived  in  the 
town.  Entered  the  service  in  Apr.  1777  and  enl.  May  14,  1777,  at  15  years 
of  age  for  three  years;  in  Capt.  Isaac  Farwell's  Co.,  Col.  John  Stark's  Brig- 
ade and  was  with  the  Reg.  at  Valley  Forge.  He  was  a  fifer.  Oct.  24,  1783, 
Thomas  Dodge  of  Charlestown  applied  to  the  state  for  the  town  of  Surry  to 
refund  him  certain  "Bounty  Money"  for  three  years'  service — 1777  to   1780. 

DURANT.  Joshua — of  Huguenot  descent — lived  in  Surry  for  a  short  time, 
after  the  war.  Enl.  Apr.  21,  1775  at  the  Lexington  alarm  in  Capt.  Joseph 
Whitcomb's  Co.  of  Swanzey,  for  eight  months;  re-enl.  and  served  for  one  year; 
enl.  again  -from  Keene  July  22,  1777  in  Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.,  and  was  in 
the  battle  of  Bennington;  joined  Capt.  Nehemiah  Houghton's  Co.,  Col.  Nichols 
Reg,  June  29,  1780  as  ensign.  Served  at  West  Point  under  Gen.  Arnold;  was 
dis,  Oct.  21,  1780;  was  afterwards  captain  of  the  militia. 

-I-  FIELD.  Moses  D.,  b.  1742;  d.  1828  in  Surry.  He  was  on  the  "Com- 
mittee of  Safety"  in  Surry  in  1777;  enl.  July  4,  1777;  dis.  July  9,  1777  in 
Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg.  for  the  alarm  at  Ti. ; 
enl.  again  July  22,  1777  in  the  Ninth  Co.,  as  2nd  Lieut,  under  Col.  Moses 
Nichols  of  Amherst  and  which  joined  the  Contl.  army  at  Saratoga.  This  Co. 
was  in  the  battle  of  Bennington,  Aug.  16,  1777;  dis.  Sept.  27,  1777.  During 
this  service  he  was  in  Gen.  John  Stark's  Brigade.  Aug.  31,  1780  the  town 
voted  to  pay  Moses  D.  Field  £2:05:0,  "for  services  at  Bennington."  His  name 
is  in  a  list  of  officers  in  Col.  Moses  Nichols  Reg.  Gen.  John  Stark's  Brigade  as 
a  lieutenant — July  18,  1777  to  Sept.  27,  1777. 

FIELD.  Thomas,  served  from  Keene;  later  lived  in  Surry,  then  ret.  to 
Keene  again.  It  is  probable  he  is  the  "Thomas  Field  formerly  of  Keene"  who 
d.  at  Whitesboro,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  7,  1836;  aged  86  years.     He  was  in  Capt.  Isaac 


100  History  of  Surry 

Davis'   Co.,   Col.    Samuel   Ashley's   Reg.   which    marched   from    Keene   in    Oct. 

1776  to  reinforce  Gen.  Gates,  and  ret.  home  early  in  Nov. 

-|-  FITZGERALD,  Michael,  enl.  from  Nottingham;  mustered  in  for  three 
years,  or  during  the  w^ar,  Apr.  3,  1777  in  Col.  John  Maclary's  Reg.;  re-enl. 
July  6,  1779  for  one  year  from  Pelham.  He  enl.  again  March  8,  1780  in  2nd 
N.  H.  Reg.  for  "during  the  war"  and  was  credited  to  Thomas  Smith  of  Surry. 
He  deserted  the  same  year.     Never  lived  in  town. 

-  -  FOSTER.  Joseph,  of  Surry,  enl.  July  10,  1780;  dis.  Dec.  17,  1780; 
service,  6  mos.;  he  was  with  Benjamin  Carpenter,  Sr.  q  v.  Was  drafted  in 
July  1782  for  six  months'  service.  It  is  possible  he  may  be  the  Joseph  Fos- 
ter, a  Rev.  soldier,  mentioned  in  "History  of  Marlboro"  and  "History  of  Sul- 
livan," N.  H. 

§  FOWLER.  Joshua  Cheever,  b.  1757;  d.  1813  in  Springfield,  Vt.;  enl. 
from  Lunenburg,  Mass.,  and  came  to  Surry  about  1780  or  '81,  and  where  he 
lived  for  25  years,  or  so  thereafter.  He  enl.  Apr.  25,  1775  as  a  private  in 
Capt.  John  Fuller's  Co.,  Col.  Asa  Whitcomb's  Reg.;  was  on  the  roll  Aug.  1775; 
also  for  Co.  receipts  for  wages,  Aug.  and  Sept.  1775,  dated  at  Prospect  Hill. 
He  also  was  a  private  in  Capt.  Joseph  Bellows'  Co.,  served  nine  days  under 
Major   Bridge   with  the   Northern   army,   which    company   marched    Aug.    22, 

1777  on  the  alarm  at  Bennington  at  the  urgent  request  of  Gen.  John  Stark 
and  Col.  Warner;  re-enl.  in  Capt.  Nathaniel  Carter's  Co.,  Col.  Job  Cushing's 
Worcester  Co.  Reg.,  enl.  Sept.  17,  1777;  dis.  Oct.  23,  1777;  served  one  mo.  15 
days  at  the  Northward,  including  time  to  walk  home.  Roll  dated  at  Leomin- 
ster, Mass.  It  is  said  he  was  around  Boston,  when  the  Contl.  army  was  under 
the  command  of  Gen.  Washington,  and  at  Saratoga  when  Gen.  Burgoyne 
surrendered,  1777. 

FULLER.  David,  b.  1760;  d.  possibly  in  Keene,  N.  Y.  where  he  was  liv- 
ing in  1841  (Gilsum  History  states  he  d.  in  Jay,  N.  Y.)  David  Fuller  enl. 
from  Hanover,  N.  H.  July  8,  1780;  dis.  Oct.  following — thus  far,  we  have  been 
unable  to  verify  and  connect  this  Hanover  David  Fuller,  positively,  with  our 
David  Fuller  of  Surry,  who  was  at  the  time  20  years  of  age.  A  more  dili- 
gent search  may  reveal  the  identity  of  the  Hanover  soldier,  who  served  in 
Capt.  Nehemiah  Houghton's  Co.,  Col.  Nichols'  Reg.  and  was  at  West  Point 
Aug.  4,  1780.  Our  David  Fuller  lived  in  Surry;  rem.  to  Gilsum  where  he  was 
captain  of  the  militia,  and  from  there  to  New  York  state. 

-|-  FULLER.  Joshua,  Sr.,  b.  1727;  d.  1816  in  Surry.  In  1777  by  a  vote 
of  the  town,  he  with  others  was  chosen  a  committee,  "according  to  law,  to 
state  things  as  they  were."  Enl.  as  a  private,  June  28,  1777;  dis.  July  3, 
1777,  in  Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.,  raised  out  of  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg. 
Four  of  his  sons  were  in  the  service. 

-|-  FULLER.  Joshua,  Jr.,  b.  1755;  killed  in  battle  of  Bennington,  Aug. 
16,  1777.  He  enl.  as  a  private,  July  14,  1775  in  Capt.  Jereiniah  Stile's  Co. 
Col.  Paul  Dudley  Sargent's  Reg.,  and  served  in  Mass.;  re-enl.  Oct.  21,  1776; 
dis.  Nov.  16,  1776  and  was  in  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg.  He  enl.  again  in 
July  1777  in  Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.  which  marched  to  join  the  Continental 

§Mr.    Fowler    was    called,    .Joshua,    .Toshua    Cheever,    J.    Cheever,    and    Cheever. 


Surry  During  The  Revolutionary  War  101 

army  at  Saratoga,  and  whose  company  was  in  the  battle  of  Bennington,  where 
Joshua  was  killed.     His  name  also  appears  as  a  private  in  Mass.  roll. 

*  FULLER.  Levi,  b.  1762;  d.  1822  in  Surry.  He  enl.  1777  from  Walpole 
in  Capt.  John  Gregg's  Co.,  Col.  Alexander  Scammel's  Reg.  in  the  Contl.  army. 
He  served  as  a  private,  though  possibly  as  a  lieutenant. 

-|-  FULLER.  Samuel,  b.  1752;  d.  probably  in  Vt. ;  said  to  have  been  liv- 
ing in  Reading,  that  state,  in  1800.  He  enl.  in  Capt.  William  Humphrey's  Co. 
Joshua  Wingate'^  Reg.,  which  marched  from  Cheshire  Co.  Oct.  1776  to  Ti. 
Also  said  to  have  been  a  private  in  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg.  the  same  year. 
Captain  Humphrey  was  a  Winchester  man  and,  although  Samuel  Fuller  was 
a  Surry  soldier,  yet  there  is  reason  to  think  he  served  as  a  man  from  the 
latter  town.  §  Later  he  was  a  sergt.  in  Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.,  Col.  Moses 
Nichols'  Reg.  which  marched  to  Saratoga,  and  was  in  the  battle  of  Benning- 
ton, Aug.  16,  1777.  He  also  enl.  July  4,  1777;  dis.  July  10,  1777  in  Capt. 
Elisha  Mack's  Co.,  which  marched  to  the  relief  of  Ti. 

-  -  OILMAN.  Anthony,  was  of  Charlestown,  but  credited  to  Surry.  Noth- 
ing is  known  of  his  life,  except  what  is  here  given.  He  enl.  at  29  years  of 
age,  June  2,  1777  in  Capt.  Nathaniel  Hutchins'  Co.,  Col.  Joseph  Cilley's  Reg.; 
went  to  Ti.  and  remained  until  the  approach  of  Gen.  Burgoyne  in  July  1777; 
was  also  in  Capt.  Livermore's  Co.  in  the  1st  N.  H.  Reg.  and  was  taken  pris- 
oner.    Return,  dated  Feb.  15,  1781. 

GLEASON.  Job,  b.  1754;  he  may  have  removed  to  Thomlinson  (now  Graf- 
ton), Vt.,  where  a  man  of  the  same  name  was  living  1790.  Enl.  July  22,  1777 
in  9th  Co.  under  Capt.  Elisha  Mack  and  Col.  Moses  Nichols  which  marched 
that  day  and  joined  the  Contl.  army  at  Saratoga,  and  was  in  the  battle  of 
Bennington,  Aug.  16th,  and  was  dis.  Sept.  23,  1777.  He  re-enl.  Oct.  21,  1777 
as  a  private  in  Capt.  Reuben  Alexander's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg., 
which  marched  from  Cheshire  Co.  at  the  request  of  Gen.  Gates  to  reinf.  the 
Contl.  army  at  Ti.  Several  other  Surry  men  were  in  this  company.  The  town 
voted  June  11,  1781  to  give  or  dischai'ge  Job  Gleason  for  £100. 

HALL.  Samuel,  b.  1732;  d.  1790  in  Keene.  Lived  in  Surry  1768-69;  was 
one  who  signed  the  petition  for  the  incorporation  of  Surry.  He  enl.  May  15, 
1775  from  Rockingham,  Vt.,  in  Capt.  Jeremiah  Stiles'  Co.,  Col.  Paul  Dudley 
Sargent's  Reg.  and  was  at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  He  was  in  the  service 
again  in  1776  and  '77,  from  Keene.  — Keene  History. 

HANCOCK.  Levi,  b.  1761;  d.  1836  in  Surry.  He  enl.  as  a  private  in  a 
Mass.  Reg.  in  Rev.  war  and  received  a  pension  in  1833  for  his  services.  He 
settled  in  Surry  as  early  as  1790. 

-|-  HARVEY.  Thomas,  b.  1740;  d.  1826  in  Surry.  "He  served  three  years 
in  the  old  French  war" — K.  S., — before  he  came  to  New  Hampshire.  Enl.  as 
a  private  in  3rd  Co.  2nd  Conn.  Reg.  Apr.  1,  1758;  dis.  Nov.  18,  1758;  re-enl. 
Apr.  2,  1759  as  a  private  in  Spencer's  Co.  of  the  2nd  Conn.  Reg.;  and  mus- 
tered out  Nov.  30,  1759.  Again  enl.  Apr.  4,  1760  in  2nd  Conn.  Reg.,  with  his 
brother  John  Harvey;  dis.  Nov.  22,  1760. 


*Levi   Fuller  was   a   Surry  boy,   but  served  from  Walpole. 

§Thi.s    belief    is    tonfirmed    in    the    early    part    of    this    chapter,    when    the  town    voted — - 

June  16,  1777 — to  allow  Samuel  Fuller  the  same  as  others  if  he  serve  as  a  man  out  of 
Surry.      Ze})ulon    Streeter    was    in    the    same    Co. 


102  History  of  Surry 

Thomas  Harvey  sett,  in  Surry  1766.  He  volunteered  and  was  appointed 
captain  of  a  Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg.  which  marched  to  the  relief  of 
Ti.;  enl.  June  29,  1777;  dis.  July  11,  1777,  being  on  the  staff  of  Col.  Samuel 
Ashley.     A  prominent  and  patriotic  man  of  Surry  for  many  years. 

-I-  HAYWARD.  Nathan,  b.  1754;  d.  1818.  Enl.  July  14,  1775  with  other 
Surry  men  in  Capt.  Jeremiah  Stile's  Co.,  Col.  Paul  Dudley  Sargent's  Reg. 
which  marched  to  the  alarm  at  Cambridge,  Mass.  His  name  is  given  in  the 
Mass.  roll  as  a  private  from  Surry.  Enl.  again  Oct.  28,  1776  in  Capt.  John 
Houghton's  Co.,  Col.  Nahum  Baldwin's  Reg.  and  was  at  White  Plains.  Re- 
enl.  May  7,  1777;  dis.  June  16,  1777  in  Capt.  Davis  Howlett's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel 
Ashley's  Reg.  which  marched  to  reinf  the  Contl  army  at  Ti.  Enl.  again  June 
28,  1777;  dis.  July  10,  1777  in  Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's 
Reg.  which  went  to  the  relief  of  Ti.  On  July  22,  following  he  again  entered 
the  service  as  corpl.  in  Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.,  Col.  Moses  Nichol's  Reg. 
which  marched  and  joined  the  Contl  army  at  Saratoga.  He  was  in  the  battle 
of  Bennington,  Aug.  16,  and  was  dis.  Sept.  23,  1777.  He  afterwards  was  ap- 
pointed major  in  the  state  militia;  a  loyal  patriot  who  saw  more  service  than 
any  other  man  in  town. 

GILBERT.  Ebenezer,  b.  1760;  d.  in  Walpole  1829,  from  which  town  he 
probably  served  in  the  war.  He  lived  in  Surry  from  1783  until  1796-97. 
Served  as  a  corporal  July  14,  1780  until  Oct.  21,  1780  in  Capt.  Nehemiah 
Houghton's  Co.,  Col.  Moses  Nichols'  Reg.  raised  for  West  Point;  served  3  mo. 
9  days;  travel  to  Springfield  84  miles  and  220  miles  home.  Joshua  Durant, 
David  Fuller  and  others  were  in  this  Co. 

-|-  HAYWARD.*  Peter,  b.  1725;  d.  1791  in  Surry.  Peter  Hawood  (Hay- 
ward)  was  in  Capt.  Josiah  Willard,  Jr.'s  Co.  at  Ashuelott  (now  Keene)  in 
the  old  French  and  Indian  war — Keene  History,  pages  80-81,  and  Massachu- 
setts archives.  Enl.  July  4,  1777;  dis.  July  10,  1777  in  Capt.  Elisha  Mack's 
Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg.  which  marched  to  the  relief  of  Ti.  By  a  vote 
of  the  town,  in  1777  he  with  others  was  chosen  on  a  committee  to  assist  in 
raising  men  to  go  into  the  service,  etc.  It  is  said  that  Peter  Hayward  was  at 
Bunker  Hill,  wearing  a  leather  apron  and  taking  his  dog  with  him.  See  Gil- 
sum  Historji,  p.  39. 

-I-  HAYWARD.*  Silvanus,  b.  1757;  d.  1817  in  Gilsum.  Enl.  June  28, 
1777;  dis.  July  10,  1777,  in  Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's 
Reg.  which  went  to  the  relief  of  Ti. 

-|-  HAYWARD.  William,  b.  1737;  d.  1785.  He  enl.  in  a  Co.,  under  the 
command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Josiah  Willard,  in  Col.  Joseph  Blanchard's  Reg., 
raised  for  an  expedition  against  Crown  Point,  N.  Y.,  in  1776.  Aug.  31,  1780 
by  a  vote  of  the  town  he  received  £2:05:0  "for  services  at  Bennington." 

-I-  HAYWARD,  William,  b.  1759;  d.  1812-13.  When  between  15  and  16 
(with  his  parents'  consent)  enl.  in  Rev.  war  as  a  fifer;  was  taken  prisoner  at 
Ft.  Washington  with  2700  others,  and  with  many  others  was  placed  on  a  Brit- 
ish prison  ship  where  he  suffered  greatly  for  want  of  food,  and  from  cruel 
treatment  but  just  lived  to  reach  home.  He  became  so  exasperated  against 
the    British    that    he    enlisted    from    Fryeburg,    Me.    in    the    1812    war     (al- 


''This    name    is    frequently    written    Howard    in    the    records. 


Surry  During  The  Revolutionary  War  103 

though  past  the  draft  age)  and  went  with  the  army  to  the  Canada  frontier; 
thence  aboard  Chancy's  fleet  on  Lake  Ontario;  was  taken  sick  with  bilious 
diarrhoea,  set  on  shore  at  Sacketts  Harbor,  and  after  travelling  a  few  miles  in 
N.  Y.  state  was  seized  with  "typhus  fever"  and  soon  died.  He  wrote  a  letter 
to  his  friends  in  Surry  and  thus  it  was  ascertained  where  he  died. 

— Taken  from  the  Amherst  Hayward  Family  Record,  written  in  Oct.  1854. 

-|-  HEATON.  Jonathan,  b.  1750;  was  of  a  Keene  family;  in  1776  he  was 
of  the  Keene  Co.;  also  given  as  of  Surry.  If  he  lived  in  Surry  at  all  it  was 
only  for  a  short  period.  He  served  with  Joshua  Dart,  q  v.;  July  14,  1776,  was 
in  Capt.  Samuel  Wetherbee's  Co.,  Col.  Isaac  Wyman's  Regt.  and  was  in  the 
Northern  army  at  Haverhill,  N.  H. — up  the  Conn,  river. 

HOLMES.  Lemuel,  b.  1739;  served  in  the  Rev.  war  from  Walpole  and 
came  to  Surry  as  early  as  1781;  rem.  from  town  about  1810  and  said  to  have 
d.  in  Vt.  While  a  res.  here  he  was  one  of  the  most  prominent  men,  not  only 
in  town  but  in  this  part  of  the  state.  He  enl.  from  Walpole  Apr.  21,  1775  as 
a  lieut.  in  Capt.  Jeremiah  Stiles'  Co.,  Col.  Paul  Dudley  Sargent's  Reg.  which 
marched  on  that  day  from  Keene.  Was  a  lieut.  in  a  Co.  of  Rangers,  served 
from  Jan.  1,  1776  until  the  1st  of  Sept.  1776  when  he  was  appointed  capt.  by 
Gen.  Washington,  but  before  receiving  his  commission  he  was  taken  prisoner, 
Nov.  16,  1776  at  Fort  Washington  and  carried  to  N.  Y.  where  he  remained  in 
captivity  until  Sept.  20,  1778.  Capt.  Holmes  first  service  was  for  3  mos.; 
was  in  Capt.  Thos.  Knowlton's  Co.  of  Rangers,  and  after  Capts.  K.  and  Brown 
were  killed  he  was  appointed  capt.  by  Gen.  W.  and  served  on  the  Harlem  lines 
till  taken  prisoner,  Nov.  16;  he  also  enl.  from  West  Point,  Sept.  1781  in  Col. 
Samuel  Canfield's  Reg. 

For  his  loss  at  Ft.  Washington,  Capt.  Holmes  was  paid  £20:8:0. — State 
Papers. 

ISHAM.  Benjamin,  b.  1758;  d.  1802  in  Surry.  He  enl.  from  Alstead  June 
27,  1780;  dis.  Dec.  17,  1780.  He  was  on  the  pay  roll  in  1780  for  service  in 
the  Contl  army  at  Worcester.  Travel  93  miles,  and  an  allowance  of  £335:0:0 
for  blanket,  etc. 

JOSLIN.  Peter,  b.  1759;  d.  1837  in  Surry.  He  served  in  the  Rev.  war  in 
Mass.,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  on  the  pension  roll.  He  came  to  town 
from  Walpole  about  1810  and  settled  on  the  Capt.  Harvey  farm. 

KILBURN.  Joel,  b.  in  Hebron,  Conn.;  d.  in  Royalton,  Vt.  He  res.  in  Gil- 
sum,  but  rem.  before  the  Rev.  war  to  Royalton,  Vt.  where  his  family  were 
while  he  was  in  the  service;  he  returned  to  N.  H.  and  lived  in  Surry  for  sev- 
eral years  then  ret.  to  Royalton  again  in  1793. — From  Gilsum  History. 

He  was  taxed  in  Surry  in  1788,  and  possibly  is  the  Joel  Kilburn  who  was 
living  in  Jerico,  Vt.  in  1790.  He  enl.  June  28,  1777;  dis.  July  10,  1777  in 
Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.  which  marched  to  the  relief  of  Ti. 

-|-  KING.  John,  enl.  July  15,  1775  in  Capt.  Richard  Shortbridge's  Co. 
and  Enoch  Poors  Reg.;  dis.  Aug.  1,  1775;  5  ft.  7  in.  high;  blue  eyes  and  light 
hair.  He  re-enl.  and  was  absent  from  his  Reg.  Jan.  1,  1776  on  account  of 
sickness;  re-enl.  July  15,  1777  under  Maj.  Timothy  Ellis,  Col.  Moses  Nichol's 
Reg.  ,and  was  at  the  battle  of  Bennington  Aug.  16,  1777.     He  enl.  again  July 


104  History  of  Surry 

15,  177'J,  for  one  year,  but  afterwards  changed  it  to,  "for  during  the  war.'' 
During  a  portion  of  this  service  he  was  "of  Surry." 

KNIGHT.  Elijah,  b.  1756 ;d.  in  Keene  1842,  at  which  time  he  was  on  the 
pension  roll  for  services  as  a  private  in  the  Vermont  militia  during  the  Rev. 
war.  He  came  to  Surry  in  1819  from  Rockingham  (Bellows  Falls),  Vt.;  "was 
prominent  in  all  military  affairs  in  the  Connecticut  valley";  lieut.  and  capt. 
of  the  Rockingham  Co.  in  the  state  militia,  and  lieut. -col.  of  the  Reg.;  was  in 
command  of  the  state  troops  in  the  expedition  to  Guilford,  1784;  first  lawyer 
in  R.  and  judge  of  probate  in  1815,  etc.  Kept  tavern  in  Surry  and  was  first 
postmaster  in  this  town. 

-|-  LISCOMB.  Samuel.  Was  of  Charlestown,  but  served  from  Surry; 
enl.  1777  in  Benjamin  Bellows'  Reg.  and  Jan.  10,  1778  was  "on  command  in 
Armory"  at  Albany,  N.  Y.  at  which  time  he  was  27  years  of  age;  5  ft.  7  in. 
high;  dark  complexion,  hair  and  eyes;  also  said  to  have  been  in  Col.  Joseph 
Cilley's  Reg.  at  the  time;  was  in  the  army  as  late  as  Feb.  6,  1781,  though  go- 
ing then  from  Charlestown.  June  13,  1794  he  petitioned  with  others  for  state 
land.     His  name  is  also  spelled  LUSCOMB. 

MACK.  Joseph,  Jr.  Enl.  Aug.  31,  1779  from  Alstead  for  one  year,  to  fill 
up  the  Contl.  army.  No  further  record  of  Joseph  Jr.  has  been  found;  Joseph 
Sr.  lived  in  Surry  and  rem.  to  Alstead;  hence  the  son  must  have  lived  in 
Surry  when  a  young  lad.  Joseph  Mack,  either  father  or  son,  was  over  21 
yeai's  of  age  in  1776  and  signed  the  Test  with  Nathan  Mack  and  other  Al- 
stead men. 

MACK.  Nathan.  Another  son  of  Joseph,  Sr.  was  of  Alstead;  enl.  June 
28,  1777;  dis.  July  2,  1777,  in  Capt.  Amos  Shepard's  Co.,  Col.  Benjamin  Bel- 
lows' Reg.  which  marched  to  Fort  Ti.  during  those  strenuous  days  of  '77.  He 
doubtless  also  lived  in  Surry  with  his  parents,  before  the  war. 

MARVIN.  Giles,  b.  1751;  d.  in  Alstead  1801.  He  came  to  town  with 
his  parents  prior  to  the  Rev.  war,  and  rem.  to  Alstead  where  he  lived;  he  enl. 
as  a  private  May  7,  1777;  dis.  June  21,  1777;  in  Capt.  Christopher  Wibber's 
Co.,  Col.  Benjamin  Bellows'  Reg.     He  served  from  Alstead. 

-|-  McCURDY.  John,  b.  1750;  d.  1839  in  Concord,  Vt.  Aug.  31,  1780  by 
a  vote  of  the  town  he  was  paid  £2:05:0  for  services  at  Bennington.  He  was 
a  Surry  tavern-keeper  for  many  years,  and  his  service  must  have  been  from 
here. 

-|-  McCURDY.  Samuel.  It  is  unknown  to  the  compiler  whether  this  was 
the  father  or  son  of  this  name.  Both  were  in  Surry  and  of  suitable  age  to 
enter  during  the  excitement  of  the  alarm  at  Ti.  There  is  not  the  least  doubt 
but  he  served  from  Surry.  Enl.  June  28,  1777;  dis.  July  3,  1777;  was  in 
Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg.  which  marched  to  rein- 
force the  Contl.  army  at  Ti. 

NOURSE.  Daniel,  b.  1760;  d.  1845  in  Acworth;  enl.  from  Westboro,  Mass. 
as  a  private  in  Capt.  Seth  Morse's  Co.  of  militia,  Col.  Ward's  Reg.  which 
marched  on  the  alarm  of  April  19,  1775;  served  14  days.  He  settled  in  Ac- 
worth  1785;  was  in  Surry  for  a  few  years  circa  1830;  married  and  ret.  td 
Acworth. 


Surry  During  The  Revolutionary  War  105 

PAGE.  Lemuel,  b.  1757;  d.  1822  in  Surry,  to  which  place  he  moved  in 
1817.  He  "enlisted  into  the  army  six  times,  which  made  nearly  a  continuous 
service  during  the  Revolution." — History  of  Rindge.  He  was  a  fifer,  in  the 
service  and  became  a  major  musician,  and  usually  was  called  Maj.  Lem.  Page. 
He  was  fifer  in  Capt.  Nathan  Hale's  Co.  which  marched  to  Cambridge  at  the 
time  of  the  Lexington  fight  Apr.  19,  1775.  Re-enl.  and  was  in  Capt.  Philip 
Thomas'  Co.,  Col.  James  Reed's  Reg.  Aug.  1,  1775.  In  a  list  of  articles  lost 
at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  Lem  Page  lost  "one  shagge  great  coat."  He  was 
fifer  in  Capt.  Salmon  Stone's  Co.,  Col.  Enoch  Hale's  Reg.  which  marched  from 
N.  H.  June  29,  1777  to  Ti.  Re-enl.  again  in  Capt.  Daniel  Rand's  Co.,  Col. 
Daniel  Moore's  Reg.  and  was  dis.  at  Saratoga  Oct.  18,  1777,  etc. 

— Rindge  History. 

PERRY.  Silas,  b.  1763;  d.  in  Keene  1852.  He  was  a  private  in  the  Contl. 
army  in  Mass.  during  the  Rev.- war.  About  1810  he  rem.  from  Westminster, 
Mass.  to  N.  H.  and  probably  settled  in  the  south  part  of  Surry,  only  a  short 
distance  from  Keene  line;  after  a  few  years  he  rem.  over  the  line  into  Keene. 
He  was  on  the  N.  H.  pension  roll  1832-'40.  *In  his  old  age  he  entertained  a 
younger  generation  by  relating  his  experiences  in  the  war;  frequently  an  al- 
lowance of  horse  meat  was  their  portion,  and  in  order  to  get  the  boys  into 
good  fighting  trim  before  entering  a  battle,  the  soldiers  were  given  a  quan- 
tit  of  rum  and  gun-powder.  This  may  have  contributed  to  his  physical  con- 
dition, for  he  lived  to  be  more  than  89  years  of  age. 

-i-  REDDING.  John,  b.  1754;  d.  1814  in  Surry.  Enl.  June  28,  1777;  dis. 
July  10,  1777,  in  Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg.  which 
marched  to  the  relief  of  Ti.  Re-enl.  in  9th  Co.  in  Col.  Moses  Nichols'  Reg. 
which  joined  the  Northern  Contl.  army  at  Saratoga  July  22,  1777  and  this 
Reg.  was  in  the  battle  of  Bennington.  He  is  very  probably  identical  with 
the  "John  Reden,"  who  was  in  Capt.  Davis  Hewlett's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ash- 
ley's Reg.  which  marched  from  N.  H,  May  7,  1777,  which  marched  to  Ti.,  and 
was  dis.  June  23,  1777,  serving  1  mo.,  17  days. 

REED.  David,  b.  1756;  d.  in  Alstead  1819.  The  farm  where  he  lived  &r 
many  years  was  just  over  the  line  in  the  edge  of  Alstead;- whether  he  actual- 
ly ever  lived  in  Surry  has  not  been  ascertained,  yet  his  name  is  in  Surry  1790 
census;  he  owned  land  in  this  town;  attended  worship  here  and  in  the  census 
of  Surry  in  1806  he  and  his  family  are  again  given  as  res.  of  Surry.  He  was 
of  Rehoboth,  Mass.  and  his  service  in  the  war  was  from  that  state.  Possibly 
he  was  the  David  Reed  who  was  a  private  in  Capt.  John  Homer's  Co.,  Col. 
Jonathan  Reed's  1st  Reg.  of  Guards;  served  from  Apr.  1,  1778  until  July  3, 
1778,  at  Cambridge,  Mass. 

-|-  RICE.  Charles,  b.  unk. ;  come  to  that  part  of  Westmoreland,  now 
Surry,  as  early  as  the  spring  of  1760  where  he  lived  until  1777,  or  later.  Mr. 
Rice  and  his  neighbor,  William  Barron,  Sr.  enl.  Apr.  21,  1775  in  Capt.  Jere- 
miah Stiles'  Co.,  Col.  Paul  Dudley  Sargent's  Reg.  Rice  remained  with  the 
Reg.  and  was  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  where  he  received  a  severe  wound 
in  his  breast,  from  which  he  suffered  for  many  years.  During  the  alarm 
from  Ticonderoga  he  enl.  June  28,  1777;   dis.  July  10,  1777,  in  Capt.  Elisha 


''Related  l)y  William  B.  Reed  of  Keene  when  more  than  90  years  of  age. 


106  History  of  Surry 

Mack's  Co.     He  lived  in  Sullivan  some  years.     He  rec'd.  a  pension  in  1795; 
an  invalid;  was  a  private  in  Gen.  Stark's  Reg. 

RITTER  (or  RUTTER).  William,  b.  1747;  d.  in  Surry  1827;  a  Revolu- 
tionary soldier  and  a  veteran  in  the  war  of  1756 — K.  S.  He  came  to  Surry  as 
early  as  1803,  probably  from  Lunenburg,  Mass.  Enl.  Apr.  25,  1775  as  a  pri- 
vate from  Lunenburg  for  eight  months  in  Capt.  John  Fuller's  Co.,  Col.  Asa 
Whitcomb's  Reg.  which  was  merged  into  the  Contl.  army  commanded  by  Gen. 
Washington  around  Boston;  re-enl.  for  nine  months  in  Capt.  Joseph  Bellows' 
Co.,  under  the  command  of  Maj.  Ebenezer  Bridge  which  marched  from  Lun- 
enburg Aug.  22,  1777  on  the  alarm  of  Bennington.  He  possibly  saw  other 
service. 

ROBINSON.  Jonathan,  b.  1753;  d.  in  Surry  1838.  A  native  of  Andover, 
Mass.  from  which  state  he  served;  removing  to  Surry  as  early  as  1790,  where 
he  was  an  honored  and  respected  business  man  and  citizen  until  his  death. 
He  was  a  private  in  Capt.  Benjamin  Farnum's  Co. — which  presumably  was  at 
the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  He  also  was  in  Capt.  Charles  Furbush's  Co.  and 
Nov.  21,  1775,  received  a  coat,  with  others,  from  the  government. 

RUSSELL.  William,  b.  1751;  came  to  Surry  from  Rindge  about  1779  and 
rem.  to  Westmoreland  as  early  as  1784  and  where  he  was  living  in  1790.  He 
enl.  from  Rindge  July  1776  in  Capt.  Joseph  Parker's  Co.,  Col.  Isaac  Wyman's 
Reg.  which  "remained  in  the  vicinity  of  Ticonderoga  about  five  months,  and 
suffered  much  from  sickness." 

-|-  SKINNER.  Abner,  b.  1739,  came  to  Surry  before  the  Rev.  war  and 
served  from  this  town;  in  1810  he  was  living  at  Hartland,  Vt.  Enl.  June  28, 
1777;  dis.  July  10,  1777,  was  appointed  2nd  lieut.  in  Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co., 
Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg.  which  marched  to  the  relief  of  Ti. 

-[-  SMEED.  Darius.  Little  is  known  of  this  soldier.  He  probably  never 
lived  in  this  town,  but  served  as  a  substitute.  He  was  recruited  in  July  1782 
for  a  period  of  three  years,  and  was  mustered  in  by  Benj.  Ellis. 

-j-  SMITH.  Ichabod,  b.  1742;  d.  in  Surry  1807;  enl.  from  here  June  28, 
1777;  dis.  July  10,  1777;  in  Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's 
Reg.  which  marched  to  the  relief  of  Ti. 

SMITH.  Jonathan,  Sr.,  b.  1715;  d.  in  Surry  1786;  a  very  early  settler;  he 
and  three  of  his  sons  signed  the  petition  July  4,  1768  fpr  the  incorporation  of 
Surry,  where  he  lived  until  death.  Although  more  than  61  years  of  age, 
his  zeal  and  patriotism  overcame  his  age  during  the  urgent  call  for  men  to 
reinforce  the  Contl.  army  at  Ticonderoga  and  he  enl.  as  a  private  June  28, 
1777;  dis.  July  10,  1777,  in  Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's 
Reg.  His  four  sons,  Jonathan,  Jr.,  Ichabod,  Thomas  and  Samuel  were  in  the 
service  from  Surry,  also  four  of  his  sons-in-law,  Abner  Skinner,  Moses  D. 
Field,  Abia  Crane  and  Nathan  Hayward. 

-I-  SMITH.  Jonathan,  Jr.,  b.  1744;  d.  in  Rockingham,  Vt.  1822.  A  prom- 
inent man  in  town  for  many  years;  entered  the  state  militia  and  finally  was 
appointed  major  in  the  21st  Reg.  N.  H.  militia,  then  in  1788,  lieut. -col.  of  the 
same  regiment.  Enl.  May  12,  1775;  dis.  Oct.  16,  1777,  in  Capt.  Nathan  Fol- 
som's  9th  Co.,  Col.  Joseph  Blancherd's  Reg.  He  enl.  again  as  private  June 
28,  1777;  dis.  July  3,  1777,  in  Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's 


Surry  During  The  Revolutionary  War  107 

Reg.  which  marched  to  the  relief  of  Ti.  Re-enl.  in  9th  Co.,  under  Col.  Moses 
Nichols'  which  marched  and  joined  the  Northern  army  July  22,  1777  and  was 
in  the  battle  of  Bennington,  Aug.  16,  1777.  He  received  by  a  vote  of  the  town 
£2:05:0  for  services  at  Bennington.  He  again  entered  the  service  during  the 
summer  of  1782  and  was  appointed  capt.  of  a  Co.  under  Col.  Ellis,  to  rein- 
force the  troops  already  on  the  upper  Connecticut  for  the  protection  of  the 
northwestern  frontier. 

-|-  SMITH.  Samuel.  Came  to  town  with  his  parents;  was  a  lieut.  in 
1783  and  appointed  capt.  in  the  state  militia  in  1785;  he  was  the  home  boy 
and  succeeded  his  father  as  tavern-keeper  in  Surry.  He  and  his  son,  Samuel, 
Jr.,  may  have  rem.  to  Brownington,  Vt.  soon  after  1800.  Enl.  June  28, 
1777;  dis.  July  10,  1777;  sergt.  in  Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel 
Ashley's  Reg.  which  marched  to  the  relief  of  Ti.  Aug.  31,  1780  the  town 
voted  to  pay  Samuel  Smith,  with  others,  for  services  at  Bennington — hence, 
he  must  have  been  in  that  battle.  It  is  said  he  was  with  Capt.  Lemuel  Holmes 
and  both  were  taken  prisoners  at  Fort  Washington,  Nov.  16,  1776. 

-I-  SMITH.  Thomas,  b.  1740;  d.  in  Surry  1802.  Enl.  June  28,  1777;  dis. 
July  3,  1777,  in  Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg.  which 
marched  to  the  relief  of  Ti.  The  town  also  paid  him  as  it  did  his  two 
brothers,  Jonathan,  Jr.,  and  Capt.  Samuel,  for  services  at  Bennington.  At  a 
council  at  Exeter  May  17,  1791  he  was  appointed  Postrider  on  the  first  route 
out  of  Keene  in  place  of  Ozias  Silsby,  who  declined  said  office. 

SPENCER.  Joseph.  Was  of  Bolton,  Conn.,  where  he  was  m.  in  1753;  set- 
tled here  as  early  as  1768  and  signed  the  petition  for  the  new  town  of  Surry. 
Enl.  from  Charlestown  (probably  early  in  1776)  in  Capt.  Thomas  Knowlton's 
Co.  of  Rangers  and  taken  prisoner  (possibly  at  same  time  Capt.  Lemuel 
Holmes  was  taken — Nov.  16,  1776)  at  Fort  Washington,  and  died  a  prisoner 
of  war,  Nov.  2,  1777.  * 

SPENCER.  Joseph,  Jr.,  b.  1756,  came  to  town  with  his  parents  and  rem. 
with  them  to  Charlestown.  Enl.  from  that  town  May  7,  1777;  dis.  June  18, 
1777  in  Col.  Benjamin  Bellows'  Reg.  Re-enl.  June  28,  1777;  dis.  July  9,  1777, 
in  Capt.  Abel  Walker's  Co.  Also  said  to  have  been  in  Capt.  Uriah  Wilcox's 
Co. 

STILL.  John.  Came  to  Surry  as  early  as  1769,  but  I'em.  to  Walpole.  Enl. 
May  7,  1777;  dis.  June  13,  1777,  in  Capt.  Christopher  Webber's  Co.,  Col.  Ben- 
jamin Bellows'  Reg.  which  marched  to  reinforce  the  Northern  Contl.  army  at 
Ti.  Re-enl.  June  11,  1778;  dis.  at  Rhode  Island  Jan.  5,  1779,  in  Capt.  Simon 
Marston's  Co.,  Col.  Stephen  Peabody's  Reg.  His  height,  5  ft.  6  in.,  and  com- 
plexion red.     He  was  a  recruit  from  Walpole  Feb.  19,  1781. 

STREETER.  Zebulon,  b.  1739;  d.  in  Surry  1808.  From  Warwick,  Mass. 
he  rem.  to  Winchester,  N.  H.  about  1770,  thence  to  Surry  in  1777.  Enl.  in 
Capt.  William  Humphrey's  Co.  as  a  private  during  the  summer  of  1776  which 
was  ordered  to  reinforce  the  Northern  Contl.  army  wherever  it  may  be  found. 

WETHERBEE.  Abijah,  b.  1761;  d.  in  Sullivan  1840.  He  was  of  Lunen- 
burg, Mass.;  lived  in  several  towns  in  Cheshire  Co.  after  the  Rev.  war;  came 


*Just   who    Joseph    and    Joseph    Spencer,    Jr.    were   in    Charlestown    in    1790    has    not    been 
ascertained. 


108  History  of  Surry 

to  Surry  as  early  as  1803  and  rem.  12  or  15  years  later.  It  is  said  he  served 
for  more  than  three  years  in  the  Rev,  war  from  Mass.,  and  was  at  Valley 
Forge  from  Dec.  1777  until  May  1778.  He  was  on  the  N.  H.  pension  roll  in 
1819. 

WHEELOCK.  Phinehas,  b.  1731;  d.  1807,  buried  in  Surry.  He  was  paid 
for  his  loss  in  going  to  the  alarm  of  Royalton,  Vt.,  £1:4:0 — State  Papers. 
From  what  town  he  served  is  unknown. 

WHITCOMB.  Enoch,  b.  1760;  d.  in  Surry  1841.  He  settled  in  Surry  1819 
rem.  from  Rindge.  He  was  of  Bolton,  Mass.,  from  which  state  he  served  in 
the  war.  Enl.  1776  and  served  five  months;  was  drafted  in  1778.  Was  on 
the  pension  roll  in  1840;  res.  Surry. 

WHITNEY.  Benjamin.  Was  in  what  is  now  Surry  as  early  as  July  1768 
when  he  signed  the  petition  for  the  new  town.  He  may  be  the  same  as  men- 
tioned in  Keene,  as  coming  from  Marlboro,  Mass.  He  rem.  prior  to  1776  and 
settled  in  Westminster,  Vt.,  where  he  probably  was  living  in  1790.  Enl.  May 
1,  1775;  dis.  Aug.  1,  1775,  in  Capt.  William  Walker's  Co.,  Col.  James  Reed's 
Reg.     Gilsiim  History  states  he  was  at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill. 

-|-  WHITNEY.  Joseph.  Doubtless  kindred  of  Benjamin  q.  v.  came  to 
town  1771  and  after  living  here  possibly  10  years  rem.  to  Westmoreland. 
Enl.  from  here  June  28,  1777;  dis.  July  10,  1777,  was  appointed  corpi.  in 
Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg.  which  went  to  the  relief 
of  Ti.     He  rec'd.  a  pension  1818  for  services  as  a  private  in  Massachusetts. 

WILBORE.  Philip.  Was  in  Surry  1788-90.  He  came  from  and  returned 
to  Westmoreland.  He  enl.  as  a  private  June  29,  1777;  dis.  July  11,  1777  in 
John  Cole's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg.  which  marched  to  the  relief  of  Ti. 
Elisha  and  Nathaniel  Wilbur  were  also  in  the  same  Co.  from  Westmoreland. 

-I-  *  WILCOX.  Obadiah,  Jr.  Enl.  May  7,  1777;  dis.  June  16,  1777,  was 
appointed  sergt.  in  Capt.  Davis  Howlett's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg. 
which  marched  for  Ti.  §  Obadiah  Wilcox  enl.  July  4,  1777;  dis.  July  10,  1777 
as  a  private  in  Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel  Ashley's  Reg.  which 
marched  to  reinforce  the  Contl.  army  at  Ti. 

-|-  WILCOX,  Asa,  b.  1756;  d.  1840  in  Surry.  He  came  to  town  with  his 
parents  at  an  early  date;  was  on  the  pension  roll  1832-1840.  Enl.  July  4, 
1777;  dis.  July  10,  1777,  a  private  in  Capt.  Elisha  Mack's  Co.,  Col.  Samuel 
Ashley's  Reg.  which  went  to  the  alarm  at  Ti.  •  Re-enl.  as  a  corpl.  in  9th  Co., 
Col.  Moses  Nichols'  Reg.  which  marched  from  N.  H.  and  joined  the  Contl. 
army  at  Saratoga  July  22,  1777,  which  was  in  the  battle  of  Bennington.     He 


*It  must  b(>  remembered  there  were  four  meu  named  ''Obadiah  Wilcox''  living  iu  Surry 
and  Gilsum  during  the  Rev.  war.  Obadiah  Sr.  of  Gilsum,  b.  about  1719;  d.  1780  and 
his  son  Obadiah.  b.  about  1743;  d.  1776.  Owing  to  the  date  of  death,  the  sou  could  not  have 
been,  in  the  war  in  1777,  and  his  father,  a  man  of  about  60  years  of  age,  then  living  in 
a  more  remote  part  of  Gilsum,  is  hardly  thought  to  have  entered  the  service.  It  is  reasonable 
to  suppose  that  this  "sergeant"  was  Obadiah,  Jr.  of  Surry,  yet  there  appears  no  way  in 
which    to   iirove   this. 

§This  Obadiah  was  doubtless  of  Surry,  but  whether  the  father,  or  the  son  has  not  been 
established.  This  call  for  soldiers  came  only  a  few  days  following  a  previous  call,  during 
the  alarm  and  exciting  days  for  men  to  reinforce  the  fort  at  Ticonderoga  ;  not  only  the  young 
men,  but  men  of  mature  years  immediately  left  their  farms  and  within  a  few  hours  were 
on  the  march  for  that  imi)ortant  station.  Our  Obadiah  Sr.  was  b.  172-1;  d.  1810  and 
his  son  was  b.  17.51  ;  d.  1797 — under  the  conditions,  this  man  may  have  been  either  the 
father   or  son,   of   Surry. 

The  senior  Obadiah  of  Surry  was  a  cousin  of  the  senior,  of  Gilsum. 


Surry  During  The  Revolutionary  War  109 

received  by  a  vote  of  the  town,  Aug,  31,  1780  £2:10:0  for  services  at  Ben- 
nington. He  was  on  the  pension  roll  in  1831,  as  a  corpL,  but  his  age  is  er- 
roneously given  as  78  years. 

WILCOX.  John.  Enl.  Sept.  23,  1777;  dis.  Oct.  24,  1777;  marched  from 
Cornish,  N.  H.,  and  joined  the  Contl.  army  under  Gen.  Gates  near  Saratoga. 
While  it  is  possible,  yet  it  is  not  known  this  man  had  any  connection  whatever 
with  the  Surry  family  of  this  name.  There  was,  however,  a  John  Wilcox, 
son  of  Obadiah  Sr.,  of  Surry,  b.  1753  who  d.  here  in  1798,  of  whom  but  little 
is  known.  Possibly  as  a  young  man  he  worked  in  Cornish  and  enlisted  from 
that  town. 

WILLARD.  Joshua,  b.  about  1760;  d.  in  Gilsum  (?)  1836.  Little  is  known 
of  this  man,  he  was  "a  revolutionary  pensioner,  also  from  Surry." — Gilsum 
History.  Possibly  he  is  the  Joshua  Willard  who  rem.  1778  from  Grafton, 
Mass.  and  settled  in  Fitzwilliam.     He  came  to  Surry  as  early  as  1820. 

-|-  WILLARD.  Samuel.  Appears  to  have  been  of  Winchester  but  to 
have  served  from  Surry.  Under  account  of  sundries  from  Surry  against  the 
state  of  New  Hampshire,  as  noted  in  the  early  portion  of  this  chapter,  there 
is  one  for  1800  dollars,  paid  to  Samuel  Willard.  Another  evidence  of  his  hav- 
ing served  from  Surry  is  found  on  a  sheet  of  paper  found  in  the  town  pa- 
pers, thus:  "Wenchester  July  ye  5th  1780  Reed  of  Samuel  Smith  of  Surry 
nineteen  Hundred  &  fifty  Dollars  which  I  Reed  for  three  mounth  Services 

I  Say  Reed  By  me  Samuel  Willard." 

WILLEY.  Barnabas.  Was  in  Conn.  1747;  settled  here  as  early  as  1767 
and  about  five  years  later  removed  to  Walpole  where  he  enl.  with  other  Wal- 
pole  men,  July  3,  1777;  dis.  July  9,  1777  in  Col.  Benjamin  Bellows'  Reg.  which 
marched  to  the  alarm  of  Ti.     He  was  also  a  private  at  Ti.,  Oct.  1776. 

WRIGHT.  Moses,  b.  1763;  d.  in  Surry  1815.  Probably  the  same  of  Wal- 
pole who  enl.  May  7,  1777;  dis.  June  13,  1777  in  Capt.  Christopher  Wibber's 
Co.,  Col.  Benjamin  Bellows'  Reg. 

During  the  year  of  1777  the  soldiers  from  this  part  of  Cheshire  county,  with 
those  from  towns  to  the  south  and  southeast,  marched  and  remarched  through 
Keene  and  Charlestown  (No.  4),  then  over  the  famous  Crown  Point  road, 
which  ran  up  the  Black  river  (Vt.)  valley;  over  the  Green  mountain  ridge 
thi'ough  what  is  now  the  town  of  Mt.  Holly,  then  following  down  the  east 
branch  of  the  Otter  Creek,  through  Clarendon,  Rutland,  Proctor  and  Brandon 
to  Lake  Champlain.  * 

The  small  Continental  army  that  had  been  stationed  near  Lake  Champlain 
abandoned  their  stores  and  fortresses  early  in  July  1777  and  retreated  to 
Fort  Edwards,  by  way  of  Hubbardton  and  Castleton,  Vt.  At  Hubbardton  the 
New  Hampshire  boys  were  overtaken  by  the  enemy  in  large  numbers  and 
lost  heavily  in  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners.  § 

Soon  after  several  Surry  men  entered  the  9th  company  in  Col.  Moses  Nich- 
ols'  regiment  which  joined  the   Continental   army   at    Saratoga,   N.   Y.,   July 


*The  Crown  Point  road  was  cut  through  the  Vermont  wilderness  about  1758  by  Gen. 
Jeffery  Amherst  and  several  hundred  New  Hampshire  soldiers  during  the  French  and 
Indian   war. 

§Gen.   Griffin   gives   a   vivid  account   of   this   campaign   in   the  History   of   Keene. 


110  History  of  Surry 

22nd,  and  these  men  with  others  from  Surry  were  in  the  battle  of  Benning- 
ton. It  is  claimed  that  Nichols'  regiment  took  a  prominent  part  in  that  bat- 
tle, and  Ensign  Moses  D.  Field,  a  Surry  soldier,  shot  Col.  Baum. 

The  following  was  written  by  Phinehas  Field  of  East  Charlmont,  Mass.,  to 
a  local  paper  in  September  1877: 

Mr.  Editor: — In  returning  from  Bennington  celebration,  I  came  by 
way  of  Surry,  N.  H.,  and  there  called  on  Jonathan  R.  Field,  a  grandson 
of  Ensign  Moses  D.  PMeld,  who  testified  to  the  accuracy  of  those  state- 
ments made  by  me  as  published  in  your  paper  of  the  20th  inst.,  and  he 
related  to  me  some  additional  incidents  connected  with  that  memorable 
battle  in  which  Ensign  Field  was  an  actor.  The  15th  was  a  rainy  day, 
and  as  he  and  Capt.  Mack  of  Gilsum,  N.  H.,  were  on  a  reconnaissance 
they  came  to  a  puddle  in  the  road,  where  they  parted  to  the  right  and 
left  to  avoid  it,  and  just  before  they  closed  again,  a  bullet  struck  the 
water  in  the  middle  of  the  road.  As  they  were  passing  on  Ensign  Field 
discovered  an  Indian  crawling  on  the  ground  in  the  woods  and  not  far 
from  them,  and  appraised  Capt.  Mack  and  they  both  watched  the  In- 
dian until  they  saw  him  raise  his  head  when  both  fired  and  the  Indian 
fell.  The  day  after  the  battle  Ensign  Field  found  where  the  Indian 
was  buried,  it  was  near  the  place  where  he  was  killed,  and  he  dug  down 
to  the  body  hoping  to  find  his  musket  but  there  was  nothing  buried  with 
him.  It  was  ascertained  that  he  was  a  Sacham,  and  was  shot  through 
the  breast. 

While  the  British  were  retreating  Ensign  Field  followed  on  their 
flank  in  the  woods,  and  seeing  a  soldier  stoop  to  pick  up  something  he 
had  dropped,  fired  at  him,  and  the  soldier  pitched  forward  and  fell  to 
the  ground.  This  particular  act  was  always  spoken  of  as  a  cause  of 
regret,  and  Jonathan  R.  Field  said,  "My  grandfather  never  related  the 
incidents  of  that  battle  without  shedding  tears."  Ensign  Field  brought 
home  an  ornament  of  solid  silver  about  the  weight  of  a  dollar;  it  was 
the  representation  of  the  Savior  on  the  cross,  and  about  three  inches  in 
length.  This  ornament  and  his  grandfather's  powder  horn,  marked 
with  his  initials,  were  stolen  from  Jonathan  R.  Field  a  few  years  since. 

Local  tradition  states  that  at  the  battle  of  Bennington,  "Ensign  Field  had 
thirteen  bullets,  that  he  shot  them  all,  and  each  one  told."  It  is  also  stated 
the  Americans  broke  ranks  and  each  man  took  the  best  position  he  could 
during  that  battle. 

The  late  George  K.  Harvey  remembered  hearing  Asa  Wilcox,  Sr.,  telling 
about  the  battle  of  Bennington : 

"The  Americans  were  behind  a  stone  wall  beyond  which  was  an  open  field 
and  woods.  The  Hessians  in  the  field  finally  broke.  Gen.  Stark  jumped  on 
the  stone  wall  and  shouted:  'For  God's  sake  boys,  come  on';  you  could  have 
heard  him  a  mile." 

Mr.  Wilcox  would  cry  like  a  child  when  telling  about  that  battle. 


Militia  111 

The  following  items  have  been  found  among  the  town  papers : 

"Rec  d  of  the  Town  of  Suri-y, — 

Three  Cattle  Containing  Twelve  hundred  and  twenty  lb  by  the  hand 
of  Ebenr  Swan  it  Being  in  part  pay  for  your  Quota  of  Beef  for  ye  year 
1780  John  Millen  D.  C. 

Reed  of  the  Select  men  of  Surry  for  the  use  of  the  Contenant  one 
Thousand  three  hundi-ed  and  Eighty  weight  of  Beef,     I  Say  Reed  by  me 

John  Millen  D.  C. 
Keen  November  ye  9,  1780 

Surry  December  8th  1780 

Then  Reed  of  the   Select  men   of   Surry   Two   Beef   Cattle   Laid  at 
three  Hundred  &  an  half  Each       Reed  pr  me  for  the  use  of  the  State 

John  Millen     D.  C. 

Surry  June  1781  Then  Reed  of  the  Select  men  of  Surry  five  pounds 
of  the  new  Emesion  money  in  part  for  my  Servis  in  the  army  in  year 
1780       I  Say  Reed  by  me  Benj.  Carpenter" 

State  of  New  Hampshire. 


MILITIA 

Of  the  militia  companies  in  Surry  but  little  can  be  gleaned,  as  neither  town 
records  nor  state  papers  throw  much  light  on  the  subject.  Just  when  the 
first  company  was  formed  in  town,  or  who  were  the  local  officers  and  men  in 
that  company  has  not  been  learned.  Doubtless  a  company  was  organized 
between  1770  and  1775.  Surry,  like  other  towns  in  this  vicinity,  was  a  part 
of  the  6th  regiment,  under  Col.  Josiah  Willard  of  Winchester,  Lt.-Col.  Ben- 
jamin Bellows  of  Walpole  and  Majors  Josiah  Willard,  Jr.,  of  Keene,  and 
Breed  Batcheller  of  Packersfield  (Nelson).  The  militia  company  was  kept 
up  in  town  until  about  1850. 

After  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  this  State  like  others  kept  up  a  mili- 
tary system  requiring  all  able-bodied  men  to  appear  "armed  and  equip- 
ped," twice  a  year  in  their  own  towns,  and  once  in  regimental  Muster, 
wherever  summoned  in  the  bounds  of  the  Regiment.  These  gatherings 
were  known  as  "May  Training,"  "Fall  Training,"  and  "Muster."  They 
were  always  occasions  of  great  hilarity  and  more  or  less  drunkenness. 
As  late  as  1830,  "every  man  drew  a  gill  of  rum  for  the  occasion."  And 
still  later,  every  new  officer  chosen  was  expected  to,  "treat  the  com- 
pany," and  was  insulted  as  "hoggish"  if  he  declined  to  do  so.  It  was 
largely  those  "training-day"  disorders  that  stimulated  the  early  tem- 
perance movement.  — Abridge  from  Gilsum  History. 

THE   NEW   HAMPSHIRE   STATE   MILITIA 

The  following  field  officers  were  recommended  in  1784  for  appointment  in 
the  newly  formed  regiment  taken  from  the  6th  N.  H.  Militia;  which  was 
made  the  21st  Regiment.     The  men  were  recommended  by  the  selectmen  of 


112  History  of  Surry 

Hinsdale,  Chesterfield,  Westmoreland  and   Surry  and  were  confirmed  by  the 
state  legislature:  viz. 

f  Col.  Samuel  King  of  Chesterfield. 
Lt.-Col.  George  Aldrich  of  Westmoreland. 

1784,  Dec.  14  j    1st  Maj.  Joseph  Burt  of  Westmoreland. 

I    2nd  Maj.  Jonathan  Smith,  Jr.  of  Surry. 

f  Col.  George  Aldrich  of  Westmoreland. 
I   Lt.-Col.  Joseph  Burt  of  Westmoreland. 

1785,  Oct.  22  ]    1st  Maj.  Jonathan  Smith,  Jr.  of  Surry. 

I    2nd  Maj.  Ebenezer  Britton  of  Westmoreland. 

No  appointments  appear  to  have  been  made  in  1786.  The  old  officers  prob- 
ably were  retained  in  their  respective  positions  in  the  21st  regiment.  Joseph 
Burt  resigned  as  lieutenant  colonel  Jan.  15,  1787. 

(    Col.  George  Aldrich  of  Westmoreland. 
Lt.-Col.  Jonathan  Smith,  Jr.  of  Surry. 
1787  and  1788.       :    1st  Maj.  Ebenezer  Britton  of  Westmoreland. 
i;^  2nd  Maj.  Benjamin  Haskell  of  Chesterfield. 

— From  State  Papers. 

We  find  no  complete  list  of  officers  in  this  regiment  after  1788.  March  27, 
1793,  Samuel  Smith,  Esq.  of  Surry  was  appointed  major  of  20th  Reg.  Cyrus 
Field  of  Surry  was.  adjutant  of  the  20th  Reg.  N.  H.  Militia,  1824-25. 

From  the  town  records  the  following  Surry  men  appear  to  have  been  hon- 
ored with  a  "title,"  doubtless  in  most  cases  from  service  in  the  state  militia: 

Capt.  Thomas  Harvey,  1778,  probably  for  his  service  in  Rev.  war;  Ensign 
Hiram  Chapin,  1781;  Capt.  Lemuel  Holmes,  1782;  Capt.  Jonathan  Smith,  Jr., 
1782;  Lieut.  Moses  D.  Field,  1782;  Lieut.  Samuel  Smith,  1783;  Ensign  Asa 
Wilcox;  Capt.  Samuel  Smith,  1785;  Lieut.  Simon  Baxter,  1787;  Ensign  Jona- 
than Reade,  1787;  Lieut.  Nathan  Hayward,  1788;  Maj.  Benjamin  Kimball, 
1788;  Capt.  Jonathan  Robinson,  1793;  Lieut.  John  McCurdy,  1783;  Capt. 
Simon  Baxter,  1801;  Capt.  Nathan  Estabrook,  1801;  Capt.  Calvin  Hayward, 
1802;  Capt.  Asa  Wilcox,  Jr.,  1808;  Capt.  Charles  Bond,  1809;  Capt.  Elijah 
Fuller,  1820. 

Others  who  appear  to  have  been  captains  of  the  Surry  company  were: 

Francis  Holbbrook,  Eliphalet  Dort,  Warren  Carpenter,  Henry  (Harry) 
Britton,  Charles  A.  Britton,  Franklin  B.  Benton,  Asa  Wilcox,  Horace  B.  Shaw, 
Lewis  L.  Cotton  and  Joshua  D.  Blake. 

The  only  list  of  men,  thus  far  discovered,  belonging  to  Surry  militia  com- 
pany has  been  found  on  a  single  sheet  of  paper  among  the  old  town  records, 
a  copy  of  which  follows : 


Militia 


113 


SURRY  MILITIA  COMPANY  IN  1808 

"Surry  October  12,  1808 

To  the  Select  men  of  Surry  this  may  Certify  that  the  following  Sol- 
diers did  militia  duty  in  fourth  Company  and  twentyeth  Regiment  the 
11th  of  this  instant  Viz. 


*John  Norris 
Aaron  Hay  ward 
Edward    Wetherbee 
Jonathan  Locke 
Erastus  Benton 
Cyrus  Field 
Horace  Baxter 
James    Britton 
Maynard  Kidder 
Asa  Wilcox,  Jr. 
David  Kent 
Ralph  Smith 
Warren   Hardy 
Ira  White 
Ichabod  Crane 
Obadiah   Reed 
Aaron  Reed 
James   Redding 


Samuel  Mack 
John  T.  Wilcox 
Eliphaz  Field 
Gaylord  Wilcox 
Daniel  Stratton 
Artemas   ( ? )   Parmeter 
Daniel  Smith,    Jr. 
Alvin   Carpenter 
Francis  Hetton 
David  Reed,  Jr. 
Sylvester  Bliss 
Hollis  Munroe 
John  B.  Carlton 
John  G.  McCurdy 
John  Thayer 
Abel  Munroe 
Obadiah  Redding 
Luther  Carpenter 


Benjamin  Britton 
John  S.  Britton 
Jesse  Wright 
Abel  Allen,  Jr. 
William  Wright 
Philip  Thomas 
Otis  Hancock 
David  Stone 
Joel  Crandall 
Ezra    Carpenter 
Ariel  Carpenter 
Joel  Carpenter 
Timothy  Isham 
William  Perkins,  Jr. 
Sylvester   Smith 

51. 


Samuel  Smith,  Capt. 


Thomas   McCurdy 
Benjamin  Carpenter  3d 
George  Baxter 
Nathaniel  Wilbur 


Martin  Doyle 
Amherst  Hayward 
Eliphalet  Dort 


Officers    (?) 


Soldiers  Named  that  Did  military  Duty  Oct.  11,  1808." 

Notice:  The  soldiers  of  the  4th  company,  20th  regiment  (Surry) 
are  requested  to  meet  at  Capt.  Robinsons  tavern  on  Friday  April  2, 
1841,  at  7  P.  M.  to  choose  officers  of  said  company, 

Joshua  D.  Blake,  Capt.  — Keene  Sentinel. 

The  following  taken  from  Keene  Sentinel,  Oct.  11,  1849,  will  in  a  measure 
explain  the  conditions  which  led  to  the  repealing  of  our  state  militia  law  in 
1850. 

Musters: — The  20th,  Regt.  muster  was  held  at  Surry,  Thursday  Oct. 
4th.  It  rained  most  of  the  day;  the  troops  were  hastily  reviewed  by 
Gen.  Dickinson  and  inspected  by  Maj.  Dudley.  The  latter  addressed 
the  remains  of  the  old  20th,  in  defence  of  the  present  militia  system. 
"There  was  quite  a  falling  off  in  number  of  soldiers." 

For  the  first  time  Surry  Infantry,  under  Capt.  Charles  A.  Britton 
came  out  in  uniform.  The  gamblers  of  Boston  were  on  hand  in  large 
numbers;    some   quarrelling   and   fighting   took   place   the   night   before. 


*NOTE:      The   names    in    the   above   are   spelled    as    we    think    they    should    be,    not    as    they 
appear    in    the    original    record. 


114  History  of  Surry 

between  the  blacklegs  and  soldiers,  in  which  two  of  the  latter  were 
somewhat  hurt.  From  old  people  it  said  a  soldier  named  Balch  from 
Keene  received  a  blow  in  the  face  from  a  bell  by  a  gambler  which  pealed 
the  skin  off  and  fell  over  'his  nose.  So  angry  were  the  soldiers  over 
this  incident,  the  gamblers  were  so  severely  handled  they  were  com- 
pelled to  leave  town.     As  an  example,  one  incident  is  here  given. 

Levi  Britton  of  Westmoreland,  while  passing  near  the  barn-yard  of 
the  village  hotel  met  one  of  the  black-legs,  whom  he  picked  up  by  the 
"seat  of  his  pants  and  nap  of  the  neck  and  pitched  him  head  first  into 
several  inches  of  water  and  filth  to  the  joy  and  amusement  of  the  sol- 
diers," 

The  morale  of  the  old  time  Muster  had  for  years  been  on  the  decline 
in  all  parts  of  the  state;  this  was  the  last  muster  held  in  Surry. 

One  or  two  musters  were  held  on  the  plane  northeast  of  the  Bradley  Britton 
buildings,  and  others  on  the  plane  east  of  the  old  hotel  in  the  village. 

An  article  by  W.  S.  Briggs  of  Keene  to  the  Sentinel  1882  gives  some  inter- 
esting facts  regarding  the  New  Hampshire  militia  in  1834.  The  following  is 
an  extract  of  his  article : 

On  training  days,  all  males  from  18  to  45  were  required  to  train. 
Each  man  was  required  to  be  equipped  according  to  law  for  militia 
duty  and  inspection.  Training  day  was  the  1st  Tuesday  in  May  that 
year — 1834.  The  equipment  was:  Gun,  ramrod,  bayonet,  belt  and  cart- 
ridge box  (for  24  cartridges),  priming-wire  and  brush,  two  spare  flints, 
knapsack  and  canteen.  The  penalty  for  being  without  the  above  equip- 
ment was  as  follows:  Gun  .80c;  ramrod  .20c;  bayonet,  scabbard  and 
belt  .25c;  flints  .02c;  priming-wire  and  brush  .10c;  cai'tridge  box  .25c; 
knapsack  .20c;  canteen  .10c;  gun  not  cleaned  .50c:  If  loaded  with  ball 
12.00;   If  absent  $2.00. 


CHAPTER   VIII 

WAR     OF     1812— WAR     OF     THE      REBELLION— WORLD     WAR— LIBERTY 

LOANS 

WAR  OF  1812 

After  the  treaty  of  peace  had  been  signed  between  the  United  States  and 
Great  Britain  in  1783,  animosity  still  prevailed  between  the  two  nations,  and 
each  complained  that  the  other  had  violated  the  terms  of  the  treaty.  The 
British  naval  officers  were  especially  zealous  in  their  outrageous  and  insulting 
conduct  toward  American  seamen,  capturing  and  confiscating  our  merchant 
vessels,  all  of  which  created  antagonism  in  the  minds  of  the  American  peo- 
ple. The  Jay  treaty,  which  was  ratified  during  the  closing  years  of  the 
eighteenth  century  temporarily  quieted  conditions. 

England,  however,  continued  her  aggression  without  apology  or  redress 
until  the  American  government,  becoming  convinced  of  her  hostile  intentions, 
finally  made  preparations  for  conflict.  An  extra  session  of  congress  was 
called  in  November  1811  by  President  Madison,  who  recommended  our  prep- 
aration for  war. 

"At  length,  in  the  early  part  of  1812,  insults  having  been  added  to  in- 
juries, by  the  assumed  mistress  of  the  ocean,  the  American  Congress, 
convinced  that  there  was  no  hope  of  a  change  of  policy  on  the  part  of 
that  haughty  power,  and  that  a  resort  to  arms  was  the  only  alternative 
for  maintaining  our  rights,  sustaining  the  national  honor,  and  protect- 
ing our  citizens,  on  the  18th  day  of  June  1812,  passed  an  Act  declaring 
war  against  Great  Britain."  — N.  H.  State  Papers. 

The  few  Surry  men  who  entered  this  conflict,  so  far  as  known,  saw  no  ac- 
tive service  except  guard  duty  for  a  few  months,  mostly  around  Portsmouth, 

N.  H. 

The  names  of  the  following  men  connected  with  this  town  have  been  com- 
piled, and  there  may  have  been  others  of  whom  we  have  no  record: 

?  ABBOTT.  Daniel.  Enl.  May  25,  1814  and  served  until  July  2,  1814,  in 
the  roll  of  Capt.  Andrew  Pierce's  Co.  "He  went  to  aid  in  suppressing  the 
outbreak  near  Lake  Champlain  in  1812,  and  was  never  heard  from  again,"  is 
the  statement  received  by  the  compiler.  From  what  town  he  entered  the  ser- 
vice has  not  been  ascertained,  but  his  family  were  living  in  1806  with  Capt. 
Thomas  Harvey,  as  per  census. 

-I-  BAXTER.  George  of  Surry.  Enl.  Sept.  25,  1814  for  60  days;  was  ap- 
pointed corpl.  in  Capt.  James  M.  Warner's  Co.  *  Son  of  Capt.  Simon  Baxter, 
Jr. 


*t'apt.    Warner    was    of   Acworth.      Most   of    the   Surry   men   were   in   his    Co. 
-|The  plus  mark  indicates   the  men  enlisted  from  Surry. 


116  History  of  Surry 

-j-  BECKWITH.  Aseph  of  Surry.  Enl.  Sept.  25,  1814  for  60  days;  dis. 
Nov.  17,  1814,  in  Capt.  James  M.  Warner's  Co.,  Lieut.  Col.  John  Steele's  Reg. 

-|-  CARPENTER.  Willard,  b.  1794;  son  of  Amasa  of  Surry;  enl.  Sept. 
25,  1814  for  60  days  in  Capt.  James  M.  Warner's  Co.,  Lt.  Col.  John  Steele's 
Reg. 

DART.  David,  b.  1793;  d.  1841;  enl.  from  Gilsum  Sept.  25,  1814  for  60 
days  in  Capt.  James  M.  Warner's  Co.,  Lt.  Col.  John  Steele's  Reg.  His  father 
and  grandfather  lived  in  Surry. 

-!-  FULLER.  Silas,  b.  1795;  enl.  from  Surry  Sept.  25,  1814  for  60  days 
in  Capt.  James  M.  Warner's  Co.,  Lt.  Col.  John  Steele's  Reg. 

HALL.  Jonathan  Jr.,  b.  1782;  d.  1852;  enl.  from  Westmoreland,  Sept.  25, 
1814  for  60  days;  dis.  Oct.  12  1814,  in  Capt.  James  M.  Warner's  Co.,  Lt.  CoL 
John  Steele's  Reg.     He  res.  in  Surry  for  a  few  years. 

MARVIN.  John  Jr.,  of  Surry  and  Alstead.  Enl.  from  A.  Sept.  25,  1814 
for  60  days  in  Capt.  James  M.  Warner's  Co.,  Lt.  Col.  John  Steele's  Reg. 

SCOVELL.  Frederick,  b.  1786;  rem.  from  Surry  to  Walpole  from  which 
town  he  enl.  Sept.  26,  1814  for  60  days  in  Capt.  Josiah  Bellows'  Co.,  as.  a  pri- 
vate. 

-j-  SMITH.  Sylvester.  Lived  in  Surry  from  the  time  he  was  a  young  lad. 
Enl.  as  a  sergt.  Sept.  20,  1814  for  three  months  and  was  on  the  roll  of  Capt. 
Oliver  Warren's  Co.  Betsey,  his  widow,  was  on  the  pension  roll  at  the  time 
of  her  death.     He  d.  in  Surry  Aug.  18,  1863,  aged  84  years. 

-I-  WETHERBEE.  Edmund,  b.  1785;  of  Surry  and  enl.  Sept.  25,  1814 
for  60  days;  dis.  Nov.  7,  1814  in  Capt.  James  M.  Warner's  Co.,  Lt.  Col.  John 
Steele's  Reg. 

WRIGHT.  Philemon,  b.  1782;  d.  1864  in  Keene.  He  lived  in  Surry  for  a 
few  years  about  the  middle  of  the  last  century.  He  was  in  the  battle  of  Tip- 
pecanoe. In  relating  his  experience  in  that  battle  to  a  gentleman  now  living, 
he  said  after  the  battle  was  over:  Gen.  Harrison  (?)  standing  by  inquired  if 
he  was  wounded.  "No,  sir,"  was  Mr.  Wright's  reply.  "Well,  what  is  the 
blood  I  see?"  An  examination  proved  a  ball  had  entered  and  lodged  in  his 
thigh  where  it  remained  for  many  years.  He  was  on  pension  roll  1840.  He 
was  Sergt.  in  Burton's  4th  Inf.  in  Regular  army. 


WAR  OF  THE  REBELLION 

The  War  of  the  Rebellion,  or  Civil  war,  opened  with  an  assault  upon  Fort 
Sumter  on  the  12th  of  April  1861,  and  came  to  a  close  on  the  9th  of  April 
1865,  after  more  than  a  million  citizens  had  been  engaged  in  the  struggle,  in- 
volving an  expenditure  of  an  enormous  sum  of  money  and  causing  misery, 
suffering  and  death  to  hundreds  of  thousands  of  the  bravest  young  men  of 
the  land. 

It  was  a  struggle  between  the  Northern  and  Southern  states  in  our  Union; 


War  of  the  Rebellion  1 1 7 

a  conflict  between  freedom  and  slavery;  between  right  and  wrong;  a  grave 
and  vital  question  which  could  not  escape  settlement  sooner  or  later,  for  the 
United  States  could  not  remain  divided  into  free  and  slave  states.  The  laws 
of  our  country  had  been  conceived  in  a  spirit  of  liberty  and  justice,  intending 
that  all  men  should  have  equal  rights  in  civil  life,  regardless  of  nationality, 
race  or  creed. 

The  law  requiring  military  duty  in  New  Hampshire  was  repealed  in  1850, 
therefore  when  the  outbreak  came,  this  state  had  no  military  organization  to 
put  into  the  field,  except  a  few  companies  from  the  larger  towns. 

The  South,  however,  for  several  years  prior  to  1861,  had  been  quietly  but 
rapidly  making  all  preparations  for  the  coming  conflict.  In  the  early  months 
of  that  year,  one  after  another  of  the  Southern  states  passed  the  "ordinance 
of  secession"  and  a  Southern  Confederacy  was  formed.  Finally  the  smould- 
ering fire  burst  into  flames  at  Fort  Sumter  on  April  12th. 

During  the  early  years  of  the  war  the  feeling  was  bitter  between  the  Noi'th 
and  South  and  the  press  and  many  New  Hampshire  citizens  were  divided  in 
their  opinions.  Probably  a  fourth  of  the  voters  in  Surry  at  that  time  were 
more  or  less  in  sympathy  with  the  South.  One  prominent  man  in  the  north 
part  of  the  town  was  reported  to  have  said: 

"If  the  boys  come  back  at  all,  he  hoped  they  would  come  in  boxes." 

The  town  had  no  flag  during  the  early  part  of  the  war  to  show  her  loyalty 
for  the  common  cause.  Finally  two  young  ladies  with  a  subscription  paper 
went  about  town  and  not  long  after  a  large  handsome  flag  was  displayed  over 
the  village  street. 

The  following  has  been  taken  from  the  Town  Records : 

1861,  Sept.  21,  "To  see  if  the  town  will  vote  to  raise  money  to  aid  in 
Supporting  the  families  of  Volunteers  in  the  town  of  Surry  that 
have,  or  may  hereafter  enlist  in  the  Service  of  the  United 
States."  Voted :  to  raise  $200.00  to  aid  in  supporting  the  fam- 
ilies of  volunteers. 

•  1862,  Aug.  9.     The  town  voted  to  pay  a  bounty  of  8125.00  to  men  who 
shall  Volunteer  in  the  United  States  Service. 

1863,  Jan.  3.  Voted  to  raise  $750.00  to  pay  for  men  to  fill  the  quota  of 
the  town.  Also,  voted  to  pay  a  bounty  of  $125.00  to  each  man 
who  may  be  drafted. 

1863,  Aug.  22.     Voted  to  pay  $300.00  to  every  man  who  is  drafted  into 

the  service,  or  who  may  serve  from  this  town. 

1864,  Aug.  31.     Voted  to  pay  $600.00  to  Volunteers  from  this  town,  for 

one  years  service;  to  pay  $800.00  for  two  years  service,  and  to 
pay  $1000.00  for  three  years  service  in  the  war.  Also,  voted  to 
pay  men  who  are  not  citizens  of  this  town,  $100.00  for  one  year; 
$200.00  for  two  years,  and  $300.00  for  three  years  service  in  the 
war. 


118  History  of  Surry 

An  old  letter  found  among  the  town  records  reads  as  follows: 

Camp  Nelson,  Ky.  Dec.  23rd,  1863. 
To  the  Selectmen  of  Surry, 
Gentlemen : 

I  understand  that  your  town  has  not  as  yet  been  able  to  fill  her 
quota  under  the  last  call  for  three  hundred  thousand  more.  There  are 
some  in  the  Company  who  would  like  to  re-enlist  and  be  credited  to  the 
town  that  is  paying  the  highest  bounty.  I  understand  that  they  can  be 
credited  to  any  town  that  has  not  filled  her  "quota."  Now  if  you  will 
please  send  documents  so  that  these  men  will  be  sure  of  the  bounty,  I 
think  I  can  procure  some  six  men  that  would  like  to  be  credited  to  your 
town. 

Please  answer  immediately.     Direct  to  Capt.  J.  N.  Jones,  Co.  F.  6th, 
N.  H.  Vols.,  Camp  Nelson,  Ky. 

I  am,  yours  truly, 
*  J.  N.  Jones, 

Capt.  Co.  F.  6th,  N.  H.  Vols. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  men  who  served  from  Surry,  or  were  resident  of 
the  town,  either  before  or  after  the  Civil  war.  Those  who  served  from,  or 
were  credited  to  this  town  are  marked  thus   (-|-)  : 

ABBOTT,  Joseph  B.;  b.  in  Surry;  during  the  war  was  in  the  sanitary  com- 
mission for  four  years;  lived  in  Richmond,  N.  H.;  later  in  Keene  and  was 
county  commissioner  of  Cheshire  county  for  several  years. 

*  ALLEN,  Francis  A.  Co.  E.  4th  Reg.  N.  H.  Vols.;  b.  Peterborough,  N.  H.; 
age  26;  res.  Manchester;  enl.  Aug.  27,  '61;  must,  in  Sept.  18,  1861,  as  priv.; 
re-enl.  Feb.  15,  '64;  must,  in  Feb.  28,  '64;  wound.  May  22,  '64,  near  Bermuda 
Hundred,  Va.;  disch.  disab.  Oct.  24,  '64,  Philadelphia,  Pa.  Died  Aug.  20, 
1889,  Portsmouth,  N.  H.  Son  of  Joseph  Allen  and  lived  in  Surry  when  a 
young  man. 

-I-  ALLEN,  George  W.  Co,  I.  9th,  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  N.  H,;  age  22; 
res.  Surry;  credited  to  Surry;  enl.  Dec.  15,  1863;  must,  in  Dec.  15,  '63,  as 
priv.;  wd.  June  7,  '64,  Cold  Harbor,  Va.;  tr.  to  Co.  I.  6  N.  H.  V.,  June  1,  '65; 
must,  out  July  17,  '65.  P.  0.  ad.,  Claremont,  N.  H.  He  was  a  younger 
brother  of  Francis,  above,  and  lived  in  Surry  when  a  young  lad;  in  1884-5  he 
was  employed  by  the  old  Cheshire  Railroad  Co.  and  res.  in  North  Walpole 
near  the  top  of  "Tucker  hill." 


*Capt.  Josiah  N.  Jones,  res.  at  Portsmouth,  N.  H.  in  recent  years,  and  now,  (1919)  in 
Lawrence,    Mass.      He   is    President    of    6th   Reg.    N.    H.    Vet.   Association. 

*The  major  part  of  the  Civil  war  history  is  from  the  "Revised  Register  of  the  Soldiers  and 
Sailors  of  New  Hampshire  in  the  WAR  OF  THE  REBELLION,  1861 — 1866.  Puhlished 
and  prepared  by  authority  of  the  legislature,  by  Augustus  D.  Ayling,  adjutant  general.   1895." 

Abbreviations  used  : — App. — ^Appointed  ;  Art. — Artillery  ;  Asst. — Assistant ;  Capt. — Cap- 
tain ;  Cav. — Cavalry;  Co. — Company;  Col. — Colonel;  Corpl. — Corporal;  Dis. — Disease;  Disab. 
— Disability;  Disch. — Discharged;  Enl. — Enlisted;  Gen.^ — General;  Tnf. — Infantry;  Ijt. — 
Lieutenant;"  Maj. — Major;  Mis. — Missing;  P.  O.  ad. — Post-office  address,  last  known;  Priv. 
— Private;  Pro.' — Promoted;  Re-enl. — Re-enlisted;  Reg. — Regiment;  Res. — Residence;  Sergt. 
— Sergeant;  Tm.  ex. — Term  expired;  Tr.— Transferred ;  U.  S.  A. — United  States  army; 
Unas'd. — Unassigned;  V. — Volunteer;  V.  R.  C. — Veteran  Reserve  Corps;  Wd — "Wounded; 
Wds. — Wounds. 


War  of  the  Rebellion  119 

-|-  ALLEN,  John  Henry.  Co.  H.  1st  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Heavy  Art.;  b.  in 
Surry;  age  20;  credit.  Surry;  enl.  Sept.  2,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  must,  in  Sept.  2,  '64, 
as  priv.;  must,  out  June  15,  '65.  He  was  brother  of  the  two  above  named 
soldiers,  and  the  youngest  in  the  family.  He  became  a  M.  E.  clergyman  after 
the  war,  and  had  charges  in  Mass.,  R.  I.  and  Conn.  He  died  at  East  Hart- 
ford, Conn.,  May  20,  1910. 

AUSTIN,  Charles  F.  Co.  G.  1st  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  in  Surry;  age  21; 
res.  Keene;  enl.  Apr.  21,  '61;  must,  in  May  2,  '61,  as  a  priv.;  must,  out  Aug. 
9,  '61.  Also,  Co.  A.  2nd  Reg.;  enl.  Sept.  12,  '61;  must,  in  Sept.  17,  61,  as 
priv.;  mis.  May  9,  '64,  Swift  Creek,  Va.;  gained  from  mis.  May  il,  '64;  wd. 
June  9,  '64,  Cold  Harbor,  Va.;  disch.  Sept.  14,  '64,  Concord,  tm.  ex.  He  was 
son  of  Thomas  who  lived  on  top  South  end  of  mountain. 

AUSTIN,  Kendall.  Co.  A  5th  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  drafted;  b.  Surry;  age 
26;  res.  Alstead;  credited  to  Alstead;  draf.  Sept.  30,  '63;  must,  in  do.;  priv.; 
mis.  Aug.  25,  '64,  Ream's  Station,  Va.;  ret'd.;  must,  out  June  28,  '65.  He 
was  an  older  brother  of  Charles  F.,  above;  lived  many  years  in  East  Alstead; 
died  there  1919. 

BEMIS,  Charles  R.  Co.  B.  5th  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  substitute;  b.  N.  H.; 
cred.  to  Temple;  age  30;  enl.  Sept.  5,  '64;  disch.  dis.  July  15,  '65.  Probably 
the  man  of  that  name  who  lived  in  Surry  about  1885;  single. 

BENTON,  Franklin  Gardner.  Co.  A.  14th  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  Surry; 
age  21;  res.  Keene,  cred.  to  Keene;  enl.  Aug.  29,  '62;  must,  in  Sept.  22,  '62,  as 
priv.;  disch.  disab.  Dec.  12,  '64,  Washington,  D.  C.  Died  dis.  June  23,  '81, 
Keene.     A  son  of  Franklin  B.  Benton  of  Surry. 

BIGELOW,  Hiram  Philemon;  enl.  Co.  K.  8th  Reg.  Vt.  Inf.,  as  a  priv.; 
cred.  to  Moretown,  Vt.;  disch.  at  Burlington,  Vt.  June  28,  1865.  The  officer  in 
making  out  his  discharge  papers  wrote  his  name  incorrectly,  as  given  above. 
His  name,  however,  until  several  years  after  the  war  was  "Horace"  P.  Bige- 
low.  He  res.  in  Surry  a  year  or  two  about  1872;  rem.  thence  to  Acworth  and 
now*  in  Keene  or  Swanzey.  He  was  b.  at  Gilmanton  Iron  Works,  N.  H.,  May 
24,  1849. 

-I-  BISSELL,  Albert  E.  Co.  I^  9th,  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  in  Pelham,  N. 
H.;  age  21;  cred.  to  Surry;  enl.  Aug.  12,  '62;  must,  in  Aug.  15,  '62,  as  Priv.; 
app.  Corp.;  wd.  July  23,  '64,  Petersburg,  Va.  Died  of  wds.  Oct.  9,  '64,  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.     Bur'd  in  Surry.     Son  of  Tyler. 

BLACK,  Summer  W.— Co.  He  was  b.  in  Chesterfield,  N.  H.,  abt.  1819  and 
d.  at  Harpers  Ferry,  Va.  during  the  early  part  of  the  war.  As  his  war 
record  is  not  found  in  N.  H.,  possibly  he  served  from  Mass.  His  wid.  lived 
in  Marlboro,  N.  H.  and  drew  a  pension  within  recent  years. 

-|-  BLAKE,  Aaron  Herbert.  Co.  I.  9th  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  Surry;  age 
18;  res.  Surry  and  cred.  to  Surry;  enl.  Dec.  15,  '63;  must,  in  Dec.  15,  '63,  as 
priv.;  tr.  to  Co.  I.  6th  N.  H.  V.,  June  1,  '65;  disch.  July  8,  '65,  Annapolis,  Md. 
Son  of  Henry  B.     Died  in  Keene  1911. 

-I-  BLAKE,  Ira  E.  Co.  B.  14th,  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  in  Surry;  age  19;  res. 
Walpole,  cred.  to  Surry;  enl.  Aug.  9,  '62;  must,  in  Sept.  22,  '62,  as  priv.; 
must,  out  July  8,  '65.    Died  in  Surry  1877.     Son  of  Joshua  D. 


120  History  of  Surr\ 

BLAKE,  John  A.  Co.  A.  2nd  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  Keene;  age  20;  res. 
Gilsum;  enl.  Apr.  25,  '61,  for  three  mos.;  not  must,  in;  paid  by  state;  re-enl. 
May  22,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  must,  in  May  31,  '61,  as  priv. ;  capt'd.  June  30,  '62, 
White  Oak  Swamp,  Va.;  exch.;  wd.  sev.  July  2,  '63,  Gettysburg,  Pa.;  disch. 
disab.  June  7,  '64,  David's  Isl.,  N.  Y.  H.  He  lived  in  Surry  after  the  war; 
rem.  to  Keene  where  he  died,  1904. 

BRITTON,  Bradford.  Co.  E.  6th  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  Chesterfield;  age  45; 
res.  and  enl.  from  Chesterfield;  enl.  Nov.  19,  '61,  as  a  muse,  (drummer); 
disch.  disab.  June  16,  '62,  at  New  Berne,  N.  C.  In  order  to  enter  the  ser- 
vice he  erroneously  gave  his  age  as  45,  when  in  reality  it  should  have  been 
54  years.  He  was  the  oldest  man  in  his  company.  He  lived  in  Surry  several 
years  prior  to  the  war.     Died  in  Hinsdale,  Feb.  2,  1887. 

-I-  BRITTON,  Charles  E.  Co.  I.  9th  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  in  Walpole;  age  19; 
res.  and  cred.  to  Surry;  enl.  Dec.  15,  '63;  must,  in  Dec.  15,  '63,  as  priv.  Died 
Alexandria,  Va.,  July  30,  '64;  bur.  in  Surry.     Son  of  Bradley. 

-|-  BRITTON,  Frederick  Frost.  Co.  F.  14th  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  Rox- 
bury,  Mass.;  res.  Keene  and  cred.  to  Surry;  age  21;  enl.  Sept.  1,  1862;  must, 
in  Sept.  23,  as  priv.;  wound.  Sept.  19,  '64,  Opequan,  Va.;  dis.  July  6,  '65;  res. 
Surry,  Wisconsin;  Springfield,  Mass.,  where  he  died  unm.  Son  of  John  Lang- 
don,  below. 

-I-  BRITTON,  John  Langdon.  Co.  A.  2nd  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  Chester- 
field; age  42;  res.  and  cred.  to  Surry;  enl.  Aug.  18,  '61;  must,  in  Aug.  18,  '61, 
as  muse;  app.  principal  muse,  Oct.  10,  '61;  disch.  disab.  June  13,  '62,  Wil- 
liamsburg, Va.  Also,  Co.  F.  13th  Reg.  V.  R.  C;  cred.  to  Surry;  enl.  Dec.  15, 
'63;  must,  in  Dec.  15,  '63,  as  priv.;  disch.  disab.  May  27,  '65,  at  Concord.  Also, 
Cheshire  Light  Guard  in  State  Service;  res.  Surry;  enl.  on  or  before  Apr.  26, 
'61,  at  Keene,  as  muse.  He  res.  in  Surry  many  years;  was  a  brother  of  Brad- 
ford and  father  of  Frederick.  He  was  56  years  of  age  at  time  of  his  enl.  He 
died  in  Keene  1898;  bur.  in  Surry. 

BRITTON,  Levi.  Co.  A.  18th  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  in  Westmoreland;  age 
44;  cred.  to  Alstead;  enl.  Sept.  3,  '64,  for  1  yr. ;  must,  in  Sept.  13,  '64,  as  priv.; 
must,  out  May  6,  '65.  He  lived  in  Surry  for  a  few  years  prior  to  the  war; 
rem.  to  Alstead. 

BROWN,  Boardwin.  Co.  F.  14th  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  Stowe,  Mass.;  age 
44;  res.  and  cred.  to  Keene;  enl.  Sept.  1,  '62;  must,  in  Sept.  23,  '62,  as  priv.; 
disch.  disab.  Jan.  30,  '64,  Washington,  D.  C.  Lived  in  Surry  for  several  years 
prior  to  the  war,  then  in  Keene,  where  he  died,  1867,  aged  60  years. 

BURGESS,  William.  Co.  C.  14th  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  substitute;  b.  Rox- 
bury,  Mass.;  res.  Surry;  cred.  to  New  Durham,  N.  H.;  enl.  Aug.  13,  '63; 
must,  in  Aug.  14,  '63,  as  priv.;  must,  out  July  8,  '65.  He  was  an  old  sailor, 
lived  in  Surry  and  rem.  to  Walpole.     Name  also,  "William  J.  Burgess." 

CALDWELL,  Charles  W.  Co.  E.  5th  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  in  Alstead; 
age  19;  res.  and  cred.  to  Alstead;  enl.  Sept.  18,  '61;  must,  in  Oct  19,  '61,  as 
priv.;  disch.  disab.  May  15,  '62,  He  res.  in  Surry  after  the  war  for  several 
years. 

CALDWELL,  Daniel  F.  Co.  G.  1st  Reg.  V.  Inf.;  b.  Nashua;  age  24;  res. 
Alstead;  enl.  Apr.  24,  '61;  must,  in  May  2,  '61,  as  priv.;  must,  out  Aug.  9,  '61. 


War  of  the  Rebellion  121 

Also  Co.  B.  14th  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  res.  Walpole;  cred.  to  Alstead;  enl.  Aug, 
25,  '62;  must,  in  Sept.  22,  '62,  as  priv. ;  must  out  July  8,  '65.  He  was  a  son 
of  Joseph  Caldwell  of  Alstead,  and  brother  of  Charles  W.  and  Joseph  W.,  q  v. 
He  res.  at  the  Toll-gate  place  in  Surry  after  his  marriage  to  the  widow  of 
Hiram  Britton. 

CALDWELL,  Joseph  W.  Co.  B.  14th  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  Londonderry, 
N.  H.;  age  23;  res.  Walpole;  cred.  to  Alstead;  enl.  Aug.  25,  '62;  must,  in  Sept. 
22,  '62,  as  priv.;  disch,  disab.  Apr.  4,  '64,  Philadelphia,  Pa.  He  res.  Gilsum, 
Surry  and  now  in  Keene  (1919). 

-i-  CARPENTER,  Haskell.  Unas'd.  1st  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Cav.;  b.  Surry 
age  22;  cred.  to  Surry;  enl.  Mar.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr.;  must,  in  Mar.  28,  '65,  as 
priv.;  dis.  May  6,  '65,  Gallop's  Isl.,  Boston  Har.,  Mass.  He  res.  in  Surry  and 
Swanzey.     Died  Feb.  26,  1894  in  Chesterfield,  N.  H. 

CLEMENT,  Benjamin  F.  Co.  E.  6th  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  Knox,  Me.; 
age  42;  res.  Keene;  rem.  to  Swanzey;  enl.  Nov.  9,  '61;  must,  in  Nov.  28,  '61, 
as  priv.;  disch.  disab.  Feb.  6,  '63,  Alexander,  Va.  Also,  Co.  I.  13th  Reg.  V. 
R.  C;  res.  Keene;  cred.  to  Seekonk,  Mass.;  enl.  Sept.  2,  '64;  must,  in  Sept.  2, 
'64;  as  priv.;  disch.  disab.  Dec.  20,  '64,  Gallop's  Isl.,  Boston  Har.,  Mass,  He 
rem.  to  Surry  soon  after  the  war  and  lived  some  years  later  ret.  to  Maine  and 
died  in  Halldale,  that  state,  Aug.  2,  1885,  age  66  years.  He  was  more  than  six 
feet — ^the  tallest  man  in  his  Co.  (in  the  6th  Reg). 

CONVERSE,  Stillman  A.  Co.  H.  1st  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Hvy.  Artly.;  b.  and 
cred.  to  Gilsum;  age  21;  enl.  Sept.  2,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  must,  in  Sept.  2,  '64,  as 
Priv.;  must,  out  June  15,  '65.  Died  July  14,  1883,  Hartford,  Conn.  He  lived 
in  Surry  before  the  war. 

CRAFTS,  Francis  T.  Co.  K.  3rd  Mass.  Vol.  Inf.;  b.  Boston,  Mass.  and  res. 
S.  1917-1921  (during  summers);  res.  (1923)  28  Blue  Hill  Ave.,  Mattapan, 
Mass.  He  enl.  for  nine  mos,  1862;  mustered  out  in  June  1863;  served  in 
North  Carolina;  was  in  Kinston,  Whitehall  and  Goldsborough  battles  and 
minor  skirmishes, 

DARLING,  Lewis  Dwight.  Co.  I.  9th  Reg.  Vol.;  served  three  years;  enl. 
Aug.  18,  1862,  see  family  record.     He  d.  Keene  Jan.  9,  1922. 

-|-  DAVIS,  Bethuel  J.  Co.  A.  14th  Reg,  N,  H,  V,  Inf.;  b.  Gilsum;  age  27; 
res.  and  cred.  to  Surry;  enl.  Aug.  13,  '62;  must,  in  Sept.  22,  '62,  as  corpl.; 
must,  out  July  8,  '65.  After  war,  res.  Surry,  Keene,  Bellows  Falls  ,Vt. ;  died 
Grand  Rapids,  Mich.,  Jan.  21,  1893. 

DORT,  Obed  G.  Co.  E,  6th  Reg,  N,  H,  V,  Inf.;  b,  Surry;  age  33;  res.  and 
cred,  to  Keene;  app,  capt.  Nov,  30,  '61;  must,  in  to  date  Nov.  28,  '61;  app. 
maj.  Apr.  22,  '62;  resigned  Sept.  24,  '62.  Res.  before,  during  and  after  the 
war  in  Keene  where  he  died  1908. 

EMERSON,  Bellows.  Co.  B.  14th  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  res.  and  cred.  to 
Walpole;  age  32;  enl.  Sept  13,  '62;  must,  in  Sept.  22,  '62,  as  priv.;  disch.  disab. 
Feb.  5,  '63,  Poolesville,  Md.  Supposed  identical  with  Bellows  Emerson  in 
Cheshire  Light  Guard;  res.  Walpole;  enl.  Apr.  25,  '61,  at  Keene  as  priv.;  dis. 
by  request  of  governor.  May  31,  '61.  He  lived  in  Surry  before  the  war;  rem. 
to  Ashburnham,  Mass.,  where  he  died  quite  suddenly,  before  1876. 


122  History  of  Surry 

EMERSON,  Quincy  A.  Co.  A.  2nd  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  and  res.  at  Wal- 
pole;  age  19;  enl.  Apr.  25,  '61,  for  3  mos.;  not  must,  in;  paid  by  state;  re-enl. 
May  22,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  must,  in  May  31,  '61,  as  priv.;  re-enl.  and  must,  in 
Jan.  1,  '64;  app.  corpl.  July  1,  '64;  sergt.  Feb.  1,  '65;  must,  out  Dec.  19,  '65. 
He  worked  in  Surry  when  a  young  man  and  in  Keene.  He  was  living  in  Ash- 
burnham,  Mass.,  at  the  time  his  brother  Bellows  died. 

FAY,  Asa  Ball.  Co.  C.  34th  Reg.  Mass.  V.  Inf.;  b.  Northborough,  Mass., 
1838;  d.  there  1919;  lived  in  Surry  several  yrs.  He  served  as  1st  lieut.;  enl. 
Aug.  1862;  dis.  at  exp.  of  service,  June  16,  1865. 

-I-  GAGE,  William.  Co.  F.  6th  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  Montreal,  Can.; 
age  28;  res.  Keene;  enl.  Nov.  30,  '61;  must,  in  Dec.  3,  '61  as  priv.;  app.  corpl.; 
re-enl.  and  must,  in  Jan.  4,  '64;  cred.  to  Surry;  must,  out  July  17,  '65.  He 
res.  in  Surry  before  the  war,  and  after  at  Springfield,  Vt.,  where  he  died  May 
18,  1917.     He  saw  much  service  and  was  in  many  battles  with  his  Reg. 

GAY,  John  P.  Co.  H.  5th  Reg.  Mass.  Inf.;  b.  in  Acworth;  age  23;  enl.  at 
West  Cambridge,  Mass.,  Sept.  10,  '62,  as  priv.  for  9  mos.;  dis.  at  Windham, 
Mass.,  July  2,  '63.     He  res.  after  war  in  Surry,  and  now   (1923)   in  Keene. 

HALL,  James  G.  Co.  D.  13th  Reg.  N.  Y.  Vol.  Inf.;  b.  Surry;  age  28;  en- 
rolled Apr.  23,  '61  at  Saratoga  Springs,  N.  Y.  for  two  years;  disch.  at  Albany, 
N.  Y.  June  18,  '63;  light;  blue  eyes;  5  ft.  10  in.  He  res.  in  Saratoga  Springs 
and  in  Westmoreland  where  he  died  Jan.  24,  1906. 

HARMON,  Thomas  L.     Born  in  Boston;  enl.  36th  N.  Y.  Inf.  Apr.  20,  '61; 
re-enl.  Oct.  25,  '62,  in  13th  Mass.  Battery;  app.  sergt.;  2nd  lieut.  May  25,  '63,  ' 
in  55th  Mass.  Reg.;   promoted  to  1st  lieut.  then  capt.     He  resigned  June  3, 
'65,  on  acct.  of  disab.     Capt.  Harmon  came  to  Surry  1884  and  was  propr.  of 
village  hotel. 

HARTWELL,  William  H.  Co.  I.  9th  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  Langdon;  age 
18;  cred.  to  Keene;  enl.  Aug.  8,  '62;  must,  in  Aug.  15,  '62,  as  priv.  app.  corpl. 
Dec.  10,  '62;  sergt.  May  1,  '63;  captd.  Sept.  30,  '64,  Poplar  Springs  Church, 
Va.;  released  Feb.  28,  '65;  disch.  June  12,  '65,  Baltimore,  Md.  When  a  young 
lad  he  res.  in  Surry  with  his  uncle;  after  the  war,  at  Kirkwood,  111.,  and  1919 
at  Santa  Barbara,  Cal. 

HOLBROOK,  George  Wood.  Born  in  Surry,  1819;  d.  in  Keene,  1877.  He 
res.  in  Surry  and  was  in  the  service  of  the  government  during  the  Civil  war; 
was  appointed  Deputy  United  States  marshal  during  that  period. 

HOLBROOK,  Samuel  Francis.  Co.  A.  2nd  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  in  Surry; 
age  21;  res.  and  enl.  Keene;  enl.  Apr.  25,  '61,  for  3  mos.;  not  must,  in;  paid  by 
state;  re-enl.  May  22,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  must,  in  May  31,  '61,  as  priv.;  app. 
corpl.  Jan.  1,  '63;  wd.  July  2,  '63,  Gettysburg,  Pa.;  app.  sergt.  July  2,  '63; 
re-enl.  and  must,  in  Jan.  1,  '64,  as  priv.;  cred.  to  Walpole;  app.  1st  lieut. 
June  24,  '64;  capt.  Co.  G.  Apr.  1,  '65;  must,  out  Dec.  19,  '65.  Res.  in  Keene 
and  died  there  in  1894. 

-|-  HORTON,  George  G.  Co.  E.  2nd  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  Surry;  age 
21;  enL  Aug.  26,  '61;  must,  in  Sept.  17,  '61,  as  priv.;  deserted  June  20,  '62,  at 
Seven  Pines,  Va.     He  was  discovered  and  returned  to  Surry  after  the  war, 


War  of  the  Rebellion  123 

with  a  bewildered  and  unstable  mind,  with  apparently  little  knowledge  of  his 
previous  whereabouts.  Those  who  knew  him  before  and  after  the  war,  did 
not  as  a  rule,  consider  him  responsible  for  the  crime  of  deserting  the  service. 
He  lived  and  died  in  Surry,  1902. 

HOWARD,  Horace  W.  Co.  H.  8th  Reg.  Vt.  Vol.  Inf.;  b.  Gilsum,  Mar.  22, 
1840;  while  at  work  at  Townshend,  Vt.  enl.  from  that  town  Jan.  8,  1862  for 
three  years;  must,  in  at  Brattleboro;  re-enl.  at  New  Iberia,  La.,  Jan.  5  (or 
March  5),  1864;  a  priv.;  promoted  to  corpl.  July  1,  1864;  dis.  at  Burlington, 
Vt.,  July  10,  1865.  Res.  in  Surry,  1875-76,  and  again,  1922,  also  at  Alstead 
and  Gilsum.  Mr.  Howard  states:  "We  re-enlisted  on  the  field  of  battle  with- 
in a  short  distance  from  the  enemy,  in  the  same  company  and  regiment;  at 
New  Iberia,  La." 

HOWARD,  John  Jackson.  Co.  I.  9th  Reg.  N.  H  .V.  Inf.;  b.  in  Surry,  Mar. 
8,  1834;  d.  small-pox,  Washington,  D.  C,  Feb.  20,  1864;  res.  in  Gilsum  and 
Sullivan.     He  was  a  cousin  to  Horace  W.  Howard. 

ISHAM,  Charles  H.  Co.  A.  2nd  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  Surry;  age  18;  res. 
and  cred.  Walpole;  enl.  May  1,  '61,  3  mos.;  not  must,  in;  paid  by  state;  re- 
enl.  May  22,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  must,  in  May  31,  '61,  as  priv.;  wd.  June  25,  '62, 
Oak  Grove,  Va.;  disch.  disab.  Feb.  20,  '63,  N.  Y.  City.  He  res.  Baldwinsville, 
Mass.;  went  to  National  Soldiers'  Home,  Hampton,  Va.,  where  he  died,  1916. 

-I-  JOSLIN,  Herbert  H.  Co.  H.  1st  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Hvy.  Artly.;  b.  Surry; 
age  22;  cred.  to  Surry;  enl.  Sept.  3,  '64,  for  1  yr.;  must,  in  Sept.  3,  '64,  as 
priv.;  must,  out,  Concord,  N.  H.,  June  15,  '65.  He  rem.  after  the  war  to 
Farmington,  Penn. 

-|-  JOSLIN,  John  K.  Co.  A.  2nd  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  in  Surry;  age  25; 
res.  and  cred.  to  Surry;  enl.  Apr.  25,  '61,  for  3  mos.;  not  must,  in;  paid  by 
state;  re-enl.  May  22,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  must  in  May  31,  '61,  as  priv.;  app.  corpl. 
Sept.  1,  '61;  must  out  June  21,  '64.  He  rem.  west  after  the  war  and  res.  in 
Mo.  and  Kansas;  died  in  the  Soldiers'  Home  in  Kansas,  1914?  He  was  a 
cousin  of  Herbert  H.  Joslin,  see  above.  His  name  is  erroneously  spelled  "Jos- 
lyn"  in  the  N.  H.  Register. 

-|-  KENNEY,  Chancey.  Co.  A.  14th  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  Bethlehem,  N. 
H.;  age  29;  res.  and  cred.  to  Surry;  enl.  Aug.  13,  '62;  must  in  Sept.  22,  '62, 
as  priv. ;  must,  out  July  8,  '65.  He  res.  in  Surry  before  and  after  the  war,  and 
later  rem.  to  Springfield,  Vt. 

-|-  KENNEY,  William  Riley.  Unas'd.  in  14th  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b. 
Richmond,  N.  H.;  age  18;  res.  and  cred.  to  Surry;  enl.  Apr.  4,  '65,  for  1  yr.; 
must,  in  Apr.  4,  '65,  as  priv.;  dis.  May  6,  '65,  Gallop's  Isl.,  Boston  Har. 
Mass.  He  saw  no  actual  service.  Res.  after  the  war  in  Surry  where  he  died, 
1898.    He  and  Chancey,  above,  were  brothers. 

KENYON,  David  Y.  Co.  B,  14th  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  Middlebury,  Vt.; 
age  26;  res.  Walpole;  cred.  Alstead;  enl.  Aug.  27,  '62;  must,  in  Sept.  24,  '62, 
as  priv.;  wd.  Sept.  19,  '64,  Opequan,  Va.;  must,  out  July  8,  '65.  After  war  he 
res.  Keene  and  Surry  where  he  died  from  accident,  1906. 

-I-  KINGSBURY,  Edward  A.  Co.  E.  6th  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  and  cred. 
to  Surry;  age  22;  enl.  Nov.  5,  '61;  must,  in  Nov.  28,  '61,  as  priv.;  disch.  disab. 


124  History  OF  Surry 

Jan.  29,  '63,  Alexandria,  Va.  Also  enl.  from  Surry;  Co.  H.,  N.  H.  V.,  hvy. 
artly.,  Sept.  2,  '64,  for  1  yr. ;  must,  in  Sept.  2,  '64,  as  corpl.;  must,  out  June 
15,  '65,  at  Concord,  N.  H.  Res.  after  war  in  Georgetown,  Mich.,  Acworth,  and 
(1919),  Keene. 

KINGSBURY,  W.  Henry.  Co.  C.  14th  Reg.  N.  H.  Inf.;  b.  Keene;  age  37; 
enl.  Feb.  16,  1865  for  1  yr. ;  must,  out  July  8,  1865;  res.  in  Surry,  Keene  and 
Westmoreland  where  he  d.  1895. 

MONROE,  Dr.  Nahum  P.  A  native  of  Surry  and  who  settled  in  Bangor, 
Me.,  is  said  to  have  served  in  the  Civil  war. 

MOODY,  James  S.  A  native  of  Landaff,  N.  H.,  served  in  the  old  Sixth 
Mass.  Vols.,  also  in  Co.  C.  50th  Mass.  Vols.;  d.  Sept.  5,  1892,  at  National  Sol- 
diers' Home  at  Togus,  Me.     He  lived  in  Surry,  1843-44. 

--  PEABODY,  Chauncy  M.  Unas'd.  1st  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Cavl.;  b.  Bran- 
don, N.  Y. ;  age  19;  cred.  to  Surry;  enl.  Feb.  28,  '65,  for  1  yr. ;  must,  in  Feb. 
28,  '65,  as  priv.;  d.  dis.  Apr.  2,  '65,  Pleasant  Valley,  Md.  Nothing  further  is 
known  of  this  soldier  who  served  from  this  town. 

PIKE,  Henry  A.  Co.  E.  13th  Reg.  Vt.  V.  Inf.;  enl.  as  priv.  for  nine  mos.; 
was  in  battle  of  Gettysburg,  and  dis.  at  close  of  the  war.  He  rem.  from 
Stowe,  Vt.  to  Surry  1891,  and  where  he  lived  until  death,  1912.  His  death 
removed  from  the  town  the  last  resident  Civil  war  veteran. 

POND,  Aaron  B.  Co.  K.  1st  Mass.  Hvy.  Artlry.  A  son  of  Luman  Pond 
and  res.  in  Surry  in  early  life.  He  res.  in  Mass.  for  a  time  and  some  years 
prior  to  1895  res.  in  Keene. 

RAHN,  William.  Co.  G.  6th  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  New  York;  age  "44"; 
res.  and  cred.  Keene;  enl.  Dec.  5,  '61;  must,  in  Dec.  5,  '61,  as  priv.;  disch.  Apr. 
23,  '63,  New  Berne,  N.  C.  Also,  Co.  B.  13th  Reg.  V.  R.  C;  b.  New  York;  age 
"44";  cred.  to  Keene;  enl.  Dec.  23,  '63;  must,  in  Dec.  23,  '63,  as  priv.;  dis.  Nov. 
15,  '65,  Boston,  Mass.  He  rem.  to  Surry  about  1854  and  a  yr.  later  sett,  in 
Keene  where  he  died  1873. 

ROBBINS,  Isaiah  Jr.  Co.  F.  5th  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  drafted;  b.  Surry; 
age  23;  res.  and  cred.  to  Keene;  entd.  service  Oct.  9,  '63;  must,  in  Oct.  9,  '63, 
as  priv.;  wd.  June  3,  '64,  Cold  Harbor,  Va.;  disch.  disab.  May  28,  '65,  Man- 
chester, N.  H.  Also  1  Unattchd.  Co.  Mass.  Cav.  (became  Read's  Co.  3,  Mass. 
Cav.) ;  b.  Surry;  age  22;  res.  Keene;  enl.  Sept.  27,  '61,  for  3  yrs.;  must,  in 
Sept.  27,  '61,  as  corpl.  disch.  disab.  July  15,  '62,  New  Orleans,  La.  He  sett,  in 
Nashua,  N.  H.,  where  he  died  1908. 

RUGG,  Charles  E.  Co.  I.  9th  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  Surry;  age  18;  cred. 
to  Keene;  enl.  Aug.  8,  '62;  must,  in  Aug.  16,  '62,  as  priv.;  app.  sergt.;  Q. 
M.  sergt.  Feb.  13,  '64;  must,  out  June  10,  '65.     Died  in  Keene  Oct.  31,  '66. 

RUGG,  Sewall  F.  Co.  E.  14th  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  in  Keene;  age  26;  res. 
and  cred.  to  Keene;  enl.  Feb.  17,  '65,  for  1  yr. ;  must,  in  Feb.  17,  '65,  as  priv.; 
must,  out  July  8,  '65.  He  res.  in  Surry  when  a  young  man  and  brother  of 
Charles  E.,  above.  He  now  res.  (1919)  in  Chesterfield.  He  served  as  clerk 
to  the  regimental  quartermaster,  Fred  C.  Webster.  Died  Nov.  9,  1922,  at 
Chesterfield,  N.  H. 


War  of  the  Rebellion  125 

-|-  SMITH,  James  H.  Co.  E.  6th  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  Orange,  Mass.; 
age  20;  res.  and  cred.  to  Keene;  enl.  Nov.  9,  '61;  must,  in  Nov.  28,  '61,  as 
priv.;  wd.  Aug.  29,  '62,  Bull  Run,  Va.;  disch.  disab.  Dec.  28,  '63.  He  re-enl.  Co. 
24th  Reg.  V.  R.  C;  cred.  to  Surry;  age  23;  enl.  Sept.  2,  '64;  must,  in  Sept. 
2,  '64,  as  priv.;  disch.  Nov.  14,  '65,  Washington,  D.  C.  Res.  after  war  in 
Keene  and  died  1914  in  Swanzey. 

-I-  SPAULDING,  Henry  D.  Co.  A.  14th  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  Sullivan; 
age  23;  res.  and  cred.  to  Surry;  enl.  Aug.  13,  '62;  must,  in  Sept.  22,  '62,  as 
priv.  Died  dis.  July  11,  '64,  Natchez,  Miss.  He  res.  in  Surry  a  few  yrs.  prior 
to  his  enl. 

STONE,  Rufus  H.  Born  in  Surry;  enl.  in  21st  Reg.  Mass.  V.  Inf.  He 
came  home  to  Surry,  was  taken  sick  with  small-pox  and  died  Feb.  24,  1864; 
age  26  yrs. 

TOWNSEND,  Charles  P.  Of  Alstead;  was  capt.  of  77th  Artillery  Battery, 
Ohio,  Vol.     He  was  living  at,  and  enlisted  from,  Richfield,  0. 

WHITMAN,  George  H.  Co.  A.  2nd  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  Richmond;  age 
19;  enl.  Apr.  25,  '61,  for  3  mos. ;  not  must,  in;  paid  by  state;  re-enl.  May  22, 
'61,  for  3  yrs.;  must,  in  May  31,  '61,  as  priv.;  captd.  July  21,  '61,  Bull  Run, 
Va.;  disch.  disab.  Oct.  18,  '62.  Also,  Co.  C.  2nd  R.  I.  Cav.;  res.  Richmond;  age 
20;  enl.  Dec.  11,  '62,  for  three  yrs.;  must,  in  Dec.  12,  '62,  as  priv.;  tr.  to  1st 
La.  Cav.  Aug.  24,  '63;  to  Co.  K.  3rd  R.  I.  Cav.  Jan.  14,  '64;  app.  corpl.;  app. 
sergt.;  disch.  disab.  July  5,  '65.  He  res.  in  Surry  before  and  after  the  war  and 
died  there  1867  from  dis.  contracted  in  the  war. 

WILBUR,  Chandler  A.  Co.  C.  14th  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  Surry;  res.  and 
cred.  to  Walpole;  enl.  Aug.  18,  '62;  must,  in  Sept.  22,  '62,  as  priv.;  trn.  to 
Co.  F.  Nov.  1,  '62;  disch.  disab.  May  23,  '63,  Philadelphia,  Pa.  He  re-enl.  Co.  A. 
1st  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Cav.;  cred.  to  Walpole;  enl.  Mar.  15,  '64;  must,  in  Mar.  15, 
'64,  as  priv.;  must,  out  July  15,  '65.  Res.  Orford,  N.  H.;  rem.  to  Troy,  N.  H., 
where  he  died. 

WILBUR,  George  F.  Co.  B.  1st  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Cav.;  b.  1848;  age  18;  res. 
and  cred.  Jaffrey;  enl.  Mar.  29,  '64;  must,  in  Mar.  29,  '64;  as  priv.;  captd. 
Dec.  21,  '64,  Lacey's  Springs,  Va.;  paroled  Feb.  17,  '65;  must,  out  July  15,  '65. 
Died  in  Walpole,  Apr.  22,  '73.  He  lived  in  Surry  during  early  life  with  his 
parents,  and  brothers.  Chandler  A.  and  Henry  L.,  who  served  in  the  war. 

WILBUR,  Henry  L.  Co.  F.  14th  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  Surry;  age  26;  res. 
and  cred.  to  Winchester,  N.  H.;  enl.  Aug.  14,  '62;  must,  in  Sept.  23,  '62,  as 
priv.;  disch.  disab.  Aug.  25,  '63,  Concord,  N.  H.  After  the  war  he  res.  in 
Swanzey,  Surry  for  many  years,  then  in  edge  of  Keene  where  he  died  very 
suddenly,  1902.  The  officer  who  made  out  his  discharge  paper  at  the  close  of 
his  service  in  the  war  wrote  his  name  "Wilber,"  a  form  which  Mr.  Wilber 
afterward  used. 

WILDER,  Daniel.  Co.  B.  9th  Reg.  Vt.  V.  Inf.;  b.  E.  Wallingford,  Vt.;  age 
19;  enl.  June  16,  '62;  disch.  June  22,  '65,  Burlington,  Vt.  He  rem.  from  Wal- 
lingsford  to  Surry,  1881,  and  to  Keene  1900,  where  he  now   (1920)  resides. 

WOODWARD,  John  A.     Co.  G.  14th  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  Surry;  age  21;  res. 


126  History  of  Surry 

Surry;  cred.  to  Keene;  enl.  Aug.  27,  '62;  must,  in  Sept.  24,  '62,  as  corpl.     Died 
of  disease  Aug.  18,  *64,  New  York  City. 

-|-  WRIGHT,  William  H.  Co.  I.  3rd  Reg.  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  b.  Norwich 
Mass.;  age  25;  res.  and  cred.  to  Surry;  enl.  Aug.  21,  '61;  must,  in  Aug.  24, 
'61,  as  priv. ;  re-enl.  and  must,  in  Jan.  1,  '64,  from  Keene;  app.  corpl.  June  26, 
'64;  sergt.  Mar.  21,  '65;  must,  out  July  20,  '65.  He  came  to  Surry  before  the 
war  and  continued  to  res.  here  until  1904  when  he  met  instant  death  by  a 
falling  tree. 

WYMAN,  Samuel  E.  Co.  B.  14th  N.  H.  V.  Inf.;  res.  Walpole;  age  31;  enl. 
July  28,  '62;  must,  in  Sept.  22,  '62,  as  priv.;  dis.  at  Concord,  Oct.  15,  1862.  In 
the  N.  H.  Register  he  is  given  as  credited  to  Walpole,  but  from  a  paper  found 
among  other  town  papers,  his  receipt  shows  he  received  on  Sept.  26,  1862, 
$125.00  from  the  selectmen  of  Surry  for  services  as  a  volunteer  for  a  term 
of  three  years.  He  probably  was  unfit  for  service  as  he  was  discharged  in 
Oct.  as  stated. 

The  following  residents  of  Surry  were  on  the  U.  S.  pension  roll  in  1883 : 

I.  John  A.  Blake  received  |18.00  per  month. 

11.  Fred'k  F.  Britton  received  $14.00  per  month. 

III.  Henry  L.  Wilber  received  $14.00  per  month. 

IV.  William  H.  Wright  received  $8.00  per  month. 

V.     Mrs.  Betsey  Smith  received  $8.00  per  month.      (1812  war). 

The  following  interesting  account  abridged  of  John  Langdon  Britton  (in- 
cluding his  picture)   appeared  in  the  Boston  Globe,  Mar.  27,  1894: 

DANCED  HIGHLAND  FLING 

At  89. 

John  Langdon  Britton  of  Springfield,  at  56  went  to  War  as  a  Drummer, 
and  still  drums  for  the  Veterans  of  the  G.  A.  R. 

A  remarkable  case  of  longevity  is  that  of  John  Langdon  Britton  of 
this  city,  who  dances  the  Highland  Fling  at  89,  and  plays  the  reveille 
on  the  drum.  He  was  born  in  Chesterfield,  N.  H.,  April  25,  1805;  was 
son  of  a  cobbler  and  farmer,  who  named  him  for  John  Langdon,  an 
early  governor  of  New  Hampshire. 

His  early  school  days  were  spent  in  Surry;  he  finished  his  education 
under  the  rule  of  Prof.  Edward  P.  Harris  in  Chesterfield,  academy, 
whom  he  remembered  as  an  argus-eyed  pedagogue.  In  those  days  boys 
were  obliged  to  milk  the  cows,  feed  the  pigs  and  carry  in  enough  wood 
to  keep  the  fires  roaring,  all  of  which  was  a  small  part  of  the  things 
that  went  under  the  common  category  of  doing  "chores  for  one's  board." 

He  picked  up  his  goods  and  chatties  and  went  to  Boston  when  a 
young  man,  where  he  worked  in  an  iron  industry.  Later  he  followed 
the  same  calling  in  some  of  the  suburb  towns  of  the  city — in  all  for  a 
period  of  nearly  25  years. 

While  living  in  Boston  he  saw  Lafayette  lay  the  corner  stone  of 
Bunker   Hill   monument,   and   later,   when   the   women   raised   money  to 


War  of  the  Rebellion  127 

build  the  monument  higher,  ,he  heard  the  oration  of  Daniel  Webster. 
In  1861,  he  says : 

"I  enlisted  in  Co.  A.  2nd  Regiment  New  Hampshire  Vol.  Infantry, 
and  went  to  war  as  a  drummer,  participating  in  the  battle  of  Wil- 
liamsburg. Late  in  Dec.  1861,  while  camping  with  Gen,  Hooker's  brig- 
ade at  Hilltop  on  the  Potomac  river,  my  tent  was  blown  over  in  the 
night,  which  left  me  exposed  to  the  weather.  With  me  were  two  drum- 
mers and  a  fifer  who  were  N.  H.  boys.  The  wetting  which  I  received 
made  me  lame,  so  that  I  now  have  to  carry  a  cane.  Henry  White  and 
Henry  Holton,  my  companions  in  the  tent,  came  down  with  the  malarial 
fever  as  a  result  of  the  exposure,  and  the  former  died  within  three 
weeks. 

"In  1862  I  was  honorably  discharged  on  account  of  lameness,  and  re- 
enlisted,  1863  in  Co.  F.  13th  Reg.  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  which  was 
stationed  at  Concord,  N.  H.  After  Lee  surrendered  I  was  honorably 
discharged  for  disability,  and  have  since  received  a  pension  of  $16.00 
per  month.  I  was  promoted  to  drum  major  of  Hooker's  brigade,  which 
was  composed  of  the  1st  and  11th  Massachusetts  regiments;  the  2nd  N. 
H.  regiment,  and  the  26th  Pennsylvania. 

"The  morning  after  the  battle  of  Williamsburg,  I  was  detailed  with 
others  to  pick  up  the  dead  and  bear  them  to  their  resting  places. 

"I  saw  there  three  dead  rebels  in  the  entrenchment  that  Washington 
dug  when  he  seized  Yorktown.  At  that  time  the  entrenchment  was  very 
pronounced  showing  plainly  Washington's  manner  of  throwing  up  de- 
fences. 

"Abijah  Benton  (of  Surry),  my  grandfather,  was  drum  major  under 
Washington  at  Yorktown  ^nd  Williamsburg.  He  taught  me  to  play 
the  drum  when  I  was  10  years  old.  Years  ago  I  taught  the  Harvard 
college  students  to  dance  as  well  as  teaching  dancing  classes  in  Boston, 
Roxbury,  Brighton  and  Clinton.  Then  I  went  to  California  and  taught 
dancing,  but  after  a  time  returned  to  Surry,  where  I  conducted  a  farm 
until  two  years  ago,  when  I  came  to  Springfield,  where  I  have  since 
lived  at  163  Florence  St.,  with  my  son,  Frederick  H.  Britton,  who  also 
went  to  the  war. 

"Most  everybody  in  Boston  and  vicinity  in  those  days  knew  John 
Britton,  where  I  beat  the  drum  for  25  years  in  independent  companies. 
For  some  time  I  belonged  to  the  Ancient  and  Honorable  artillery  com- 
pany and  several  times  played  the  drum  for  that  organization. 

"I  was  taught  to  dance  the  Highland  fling,  the  sailors'  hornpipe  asd 
the  minuet  on  a  theatre  stage  in  Boston  by  Walburn,  who  was  after- 
wards manager  of  the  Drury  Lane  theatre,  London.  He  was  given  a 
benefit,  at  which  I  made  my  first  appearance  as  a  public  dancer." 

By  a  special  act  of  congress  in  Dec.  1896,  Maj.  Britton  was  granted  a  pen- 
sion of  $30.00  per  month.  During  the  national  encampment  of  the  G.  A.  R. 
in  Boston  in  1896,  he  marched  in  the  parade  over  the  entire  length  of  the 
route.     He  died  in  Keene,  May  3,  1898,  and  was  buried  in  Surry. 

The  following  was  written  by  a  Surry  soldier,  some  years  since,  of  his  per- 


128  History  of  Surry 

sonal  experience   in  the  defence  of  the  city  of   Washington,   dui'ing  the  last 
year  of  the  war: 

"When  I  enlisted  in  1864,  we  all  expected  to  be  ordered  to  the  front 
at  Petersburg,  but  on  arriving  at  Washington,  our  regiment — the  1st 
N.  H.  Heavy  Artillery — was  ordered  to  report  at  Fort  Slocum,  one  of 
the  forts  in  the  defences  of  Washington,  taking  the  place  in  part  of  an 
older  artillery  regiment  which  was  sent  to  join  the  Army  of  the  Poto- 
mac, and  here  we  remained  in  the  different  fortifications  until  the  close 
of  the  war.  Our  duties  consisted  in  guarding  the  forts  about  the  city 
and  drilling,  both  in  infantry  and  artillery;  this  was  much  less  stren- 
uous than  active  service  near  the  enemy.  It  became  evident  in  the  win- 
ter of  '64-'65,  that  the  war  was  nearing  the  end,  which  came  early  in 
April.  It  was  a  glad  day  for  the  Northern  army,  and  I  think  for  the 
Southern  as  well  for  we  could  now  return  to  our  homes  and  friends. 

"Immediately  following  Lee's  surrender,  the  orders  came  to  each  of 
the  forts  surrounding  the  city  of  Washington — some  thirty  in  number — 
to  celebrate  the  event  by  firing  a  salute  of  34  guns.  One  for  each  of 
the  states  of  the  re-united  Union.  The  first  fort  to  take  hand  in  this 
glorious  celebration  was  one  several  miles  below  the  city,  on  the  Mary- 
land side  of  the  Potomac;  then  the  next  took  up  the  salute,  and  so  on, 
until  it  came  our  turn,  and  then  it  jumped  the  Potomac  river  and  con- 
tinued down  the  other  side  past  Alexandria,  and  finally  died  at  the  last 
fort  below  that  city. 

"On  the  evening  of  April  14th  occurred  the  saddest  event  and  the 
greatest  tragedy  of  the  whole  war — the  assassination  of  our  president, 
whom  the  boys  in  Blue  had  come  to  love  as  a  father.  How  well  I  recall 
the  intense  excitement;  the  indignation  and  deep  sorrow  which  per- 
vaded the  army  and  nation.  Each  fort  about  the  city  was  notified  soon 
after  the  event  and  at  eleven  p.  m.,  the  men  were  ordered  to  leave  the 
barracks  and  enter  the  forts  and  remain  until  morning. 

"The  first  thought  of  the  authorities  was  that  a  large  number  of  con- 
spirators might  have  entered  Washington  secretly  with  designs  upon 
the  lives  of  all  our  officials.  The  next  morning  came  orders  to  place 
guards  at  short  intervals  on  the  rifle  pits  leading  from  fort  to  fort  with 
instructions  to  allow  no  one  to  pass  out  on  any  pretext  whatever;  which 
orders  remained  in  force  for  about  three  days. 

"On  the  day  of  the  president's  funeral,  I  obtained  leave  of  absence 
for  a  short  time  and  was  one  of  the  procession  which  passed  in  at  the 
eastern  front  of  the  capitol,  past  the  casket,  and  out  at  the  western.  It 
was  a  solemn  and  impressive  scene. 

"The  war  now  over,  steps  were  taken  for  the  disbanding  of  the  troops. 
The  Army  of  the  Potomac  began  assembling  in  the  vicinity  of  Wash- 
ington soon  bein'g  followed  by  that  of  Gen.  Sherman.  It  has  long  been 
the  custom  of  nations  to  celebrate  the  return  of  its  victorious  armies  in 
some  impressive  manner,  and  so  it  was  determined  at  this  time  that 
each  army  should  pass  in  general  review  on  Pennsylvania  avenue  from 
the  capitol  to  past  the  reviewing  stand  in  front  of  the  White  House. 

"On  May  the  20th  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  occupied  the  day,  and 


World  War  129 

made  a  splendid  appearance;  on  the  day  following  the  army  of  Gen. 
Sherman.  The  latter  it  was  my  pleasure  to  witness.  Well  do  I  remem- 
ber standing  on  the  steps  of  the  Treasury  building  and  seeing  Gen. 
Sherman,  accompanied  by  his  staff,  all  finely  mounted,  advance  up  the 
avenue  at  the  head  of  his  army.  It  was  an  inspiring  sight,  never  to  be 
forgotten  by  me.  I  soon  changed  my  position  for  one  opposite  the 
reviewing  stand  which  was  in  front  of  the  White  House.  As  each 
brigade  approached  led  by  its  band,  the  band  would  file  out  one  side  and 
play  martial  music  while  its  brigade  passed.  One  Wisconsin  regiment 
carried  the  noted  war  eagle,  "Old  Abe,"  who  had  participated  in  many 
battles,  and  now  reposes  in  stuffed  form  in  the  state  capitol  of  Wiscon- 
sin. 

"On  the  reviewing  stand  were  many  of  the  leading  men  of  the  na- 
tion: Generals  Grant,  Sherman,  Hooker,  Hancock,  Jefferson  C.  Davis 
and  others;  also  President  Johnson,  Secretary  Seward,  Stanton,  Wells 
and  many  other  members  of  the  president's  cabinet,  and  members  of 
the  diplomatic  corps  representing  their  countries  in  Washington.  This 
review  was  a  fitting  termination  of  the  war,  and  has  its  place  in  our 
country's  great  historical  events. 

"In  September  1915,  half  a  century  later,  Civil  war  veterans  from 
all  parts  of  our  country  once  again,  and  for  the  last  time,  passed  in 
review  over  that  same  avenue.  One  of  the  men  who  enlisted  from 
Surry  participated  in  this  last  review,  and  he  is  the  author  of  the  rem- 
iniscences above."  — E.  A.  K.,  Keene. 

WORLD  WAR 

The  causes  which  forced  the  United  States  to  enter  this  war  in  1917  are 
too  well  known  for  a  review  here.  It  came  after  years  of  preparation  on  the 
part  of  Kaiser  William  II,  the  barbaric  war  lord  of  Germany  and  his  Pots- 
dam associates;  after  they  had  plundered,  raped  and  slaughtered  Belgium 
and  part  of  France;  after  they  had  deliberately  crucified  Great  Britain;  after 
they  had  through  their  spy  and  pro-German  system  conceived  a  plan  for  the 
invasion  of  the  United  States;  after  they  had  defied  and  insulted  our  nation, 
and  murdered  its  citizens,  only  to  be  finally  crushed  by  the  bravery  and  valor 
of  the  boys  in  khaki. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  men  connected  with  this  town  who  served  in  the 
World  war,  although  some  enlisted  from  and  were  credited  to  other  places : 

BRITTON,  Frank  Clark.  Son  of  Edward  M.;  b.  in  Surry  Aug.  9,  1898; 
enl.  May  9,  1917  from  Surry  as  a  private  in  the  Field  Artillery  at  Ft.  Ethan 
Allen,  Vt. ;  trans,  to  Ft.  Sam  Houston,  Tex.,  where  he  arr.  May  19,  and  \Hhere 
he  was  in  training  until  sent  to  Camp  Merritt,  N.  J.;  embarked  Apr.  22,  1918 
on  the  transport  Huron,  at  which  time  he  was  a  member  of  the  Headquarters,, 
3rd  Artillery  Brigade,  3rd  Division  of  Regulars. 

This  boat  was  disabled  and  returned  to  port  in  two  or  three  days;  Apr.  29, 
he  re-embarked  on  the  transport  Kroonland  and  landed  at  St.  Nazaire, 
France  May  13;  were  sent  to  Guer,  Fr.  and  immediately  went  into  training; 
July  1,  was  trans,  to  the  76th  Field  Artillery  and  sent  to  the  front.     Entered 


130  History  of  Surry 

action  at  Chezy  July  6th;  on  Aug.  2,  was  relieved  and  sent  to  Grandecourt — 
a  rest  camp — for  two  weeks. 

He  entered  the  St.  Mihiel  sector  about  Sept.  2,  where  he  remained  in  action 
until  the  27th,  then  transferred  to  the  Argonne  Forest,  and  where  he  re- 
mained in  action  until  the  armistice  was  signed,  Nov.  11,  1918.  On  Nov.  12, 
the  artillery  was  sent  forward  to  Mayen,  Germany  and  here  he  remained  un- 
til Jan.  8,  when  on  account  of  disability  he  was  sent  to  the  hospital. 

May  27,  he  embarked  on  the  transport  Susquehanna  at  Bordeaux,  France, 
and  arrived  at  Newport  News,  Va.,  June  9,  and  was  discharged  at  Camp 
Devens,  Mass.,  June  21,  1919.  He  was  engaged  in  the  Second  Battle  of 
Mai-ne;  St.  Mihiel  and  Argonne  Forest.     Res.  Surry. 

GRAIN,  Robert  Mason.  Son  of  Herbert  R.  Grain;  b.  in  Surry  July  24, 
1893;  enl.  from  Springfield,  Mass.,  July  25,  1918  in  Go.  H.  74th  Reg.  12th  Di- 
vision; an  instructor  in  wrestling;  was  stationed  at  Gamp  Devens,  Mass., 
during  his  brief  service;  was  dis.  Feb.  24,  1919,  and  returned  to  Surry,  where 
he  has  lived  practically  all  his  life. 

DURANT,  Lewis  Agustard.  Son  of  Joseph  Durant,  b.  in  Troy,  N.  H.,  Feb. 
1,  1886.  He  was  in  the  service;  went  overseas,  was  cook  in  the  Headquar- 
ters camp  while  in  France.  He  res.  in  Surry  a  few  years.  Res.  1919  in  Gil- 
sum  where  he  is  employed  in  a  steam  saw  mill.  (The  writer  has  failed  in  his 
attempt  to  get  a  more  complete  record  of  this  man's  service). 

DURANT,  William  Napoleon.  Son  of  Joseph  Durant;  b.  in  Harrisville, 
Feb.  12,  1895.  He  was  drafted  in  W.  W.  and  ent.  U.  S.  service  at  Keene,  June 
28,  1918;  sent  to  Camp  Devens,  Mass.;  thence  to  Gamp  Upton,  N.  Y.,  Dec. 
1918  where  was  in  training  until  he  returned  to  Camp  Devens  where  he  was 
dis.  May  28,  1919.  He  saw  no  actual  service.  Res.  1920  in  Keene,  and  in  this 
town  prior  to  the  war.     Is  a  brother  of  Lewis  A.,  above. 

JACKSON,  Lewis  Edward,  Son  of  Edward  E.  Jackson;  b.  in  Grafton,  Vt., 
Aug.  24,  1890.  He  was  registered  while  living  at  Okanogan,  Wash.  He  re- 
turned East  in  1917  and  early  in  1918  came  to  Surry  where  he  res.  until 
drafted,  Aug.  29,  1918,  from  Okanogan;  entered  the  service  at  Bellows  Falls 
and  went  to  Camp  Devens,  where  he  was  placed  in  the  Depot  Brigade;  in  Oc- 
tober was  trans,  to  the  Veterinary  Corps,  Camp  Hill,  Newport  News,  Va.  On 
Nov.  1,  1918  went  on  a  transport  to  St.  Nazaire,  France  with  a  ship  load  of 
671  horses,  300  men  and  25  Veterinai-y  men.  He  returned  to  America  soon 
after  and  arrived  at  Newport  News,  Va.,  Dec.  23,  1918;  was  dis.  from  the 
service  Jan.  9,  1919.     Has  since  res.  at  Keene  and  Springfield,  Vt. 

KELLER,  Ralph  Henshaw.  Son  of  Jasper  N.  Keller;  b.  at  Ogden,  Utah, 
June  18,  1879;  he  ent.  the  W.  W.  as  a  Vol.;  was  commissioned  1st  Lieut.  Sig- 
\nal  Reserve  Corps,  June  22,  1917;  ent.  active  service  July  20,  at  Camp  Vail, 
Little  Silver,  N.  J.;  Oct.  5,  trans,  to  Gamp.  Devens,  Mass.,  and  took  com- 
mand Go.  E.  401  Telegraph  Battalion;  Oct.  14,  ordered  to  Hoboken,  N.  J.; 
embarked  17th,  on  the  transport  Pastores  and  arrived  at  St.  Nazaire,  Fr.  Nov. 
1,  then  immediately  sent  to  Paris.  Here  Capt.  Keller  was  placed  on  the  staff 
of  the  chief  signal  officer.     He  was  engineer  and  supervised  the  building  of 


World  War  131 

long  distance  telegraph  and  telephone  lines  from  the  base  ports  to  Tours, 
Chaumont  and  Paris. 

July  24,  1918,  he  was  ordered  to  report  to  the  chief  signal  officer,  1st  Amer- 
ican army  in  the  Chateau  Thierry  sector;  Jan.  15,  was  trans,  to  Marseilles, 
Fr.  as  chief  signal  officer  of  Base  Section  No.  6.  He  embarked  at  Brest  on  the 
transport  Leviathan,  May  22,  1919,  and  arrived  at  Hoboken,  N.  J.;  was  mus- 
tered out  of  service  May  25,  as  major  of  Signal  Corps  U.  S.  Army.  He  was 
engaged  during  the  St.  Mihiel  and  Argonne  Forest  operations. 

The  following  is  from  Col.  Hitt's  recommendation  of  Capt.  Keller  for  pro- 
motion : 

1.  During  the  St.  Mihiel  operation  this  officer  was  in  charge  of  the 
operations  division  of  the  office  of  the  chief  signal  officer,  1st  Army,  and 
was  responsible  for  the  excellent  and  rapid  construction  of  the  wire 
lines  necessary  to  carry  out  this  operation.  He  showed  tact  and  execu- 
tive ability  in  the  manner  in  which  he  handled  the  two  Telegraph  Battal- 
ions and  one  Field  Signal  Battalion  under  his  direction  and  a  knowl- 
edge of  practical  telephone  engineering  that  moi'e  than  qualifies  him  to 
hold  the  next  higher  grade. 

2.  During  the  Argonne-Meuse  operations  this  officer's  knowledge  and 
practical  ability  were  of  the  greatest  service  in  the  rearrangement  of 
the  wire  lines  of  the  2nd  French  Army  and  the  efficient  operation  of  the 
telephone  and  telegraph  plant  at  Army  Headquarters. 

Maj.  Keller  has  been  a  res.  of  Surry  since  1916,  where  he  spends  several 
weeks  during  each  year. 

PERKINS,  Clarence  Edgar.  Son  of  Charles  Wallace  Perkins;  b.  in  Surry, 
July  31,  1895;  enl.  from  Surry  June  15,  1918  and  entered  the  Dartmouth 
college  detachment  where  he  was  assigned  to  the  Motor  Transport  Corps;  was 
trans,  to  Camp  Joseph  E.  Johnston  at  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  where  he  arrived 
Aug.  22;  then  sent  to  Camp  Merritt  (near  Hoboken),  N.  J.,  where  he  arrived 
Sept.  12;  on  23rd  embarked  on  the  transport.  Great  Northern,  and  arrived 
at  Brest,  France,  Sept.  30,  at  which  time  he  was  a  private  in  the  M.  T.  C.  He 
entered  active  service  Oct.  8,  transporting  by  motor  truck,  hospital  and  quar- 
termaster's supplies,  usually  in  charge  of  a  five-ton  Packard  truck.  Frequent- 
ly he  was  in  constant  service  from  15  to  22  hours  daily,  in  and  near  Longers, 
Fr.,  and  where  he  remained  until  about  Nov.  3,  when  taken  ill,  and  sent  to 
the  hospital,  thence  to  the  Casualty  camp  at  Toul,  then  trans,  to  the  159th 
Infantry,  40th  Division.  He  embarked  Mar.  23,  at  Bordeaux,  France,  on  the 
transport  Edgar  F.  Leukenbach  and  arrived  at  Hoboken  Apr.  6,  and  was  dis- 
charged at  Camp  Devens,  Mass.,  Apr.  17,  1919  as  a  private;  Casual  M.  T. 
C,  517,  Co.  A.  159th  Infantry,  40th  Division.     Returned  to  Surry. 

STILLINGS,  Lee  Chamberlain.  Son  of  Samuel  V.  Stillings;  b.  in  Keene, 
Oct.  7,  1869;  came  to  Surry  when  a  child  and  resided  here  until  a  young  man. 
He  was  graduated  in  1893  from  the  University  of  Vermont  with  the  degree 
of  M.  D.  For  several  years  he  was  in  practice  in  Philadelphia  and  in  the 
merchant  marine  service,  acting  in  foreign  countries.  On  the  outbreak  of 
the  World  war  he  volunteered  Apr.  15,  1917;  being  credited  to  Alstead,  the 
home  of  his  wife;   he  was  appointed  captain  of  the  Medical   Corps   May  27, 


132  History  of  Surry 

1917;  assigned  to  active  service  June  24;  was  at  Plattsburg,  N.  Y.,  and  other 
camps,  his  last  assignment  being  at  Camp  Pike,  Arkansas,  where  he  was  chief 
of  service  at  the  base  hospital.  Capt.  Stillings  was  discharged  from  the  ser- 
vice in  August  1919,  and  on  Oct.  9th,  following  he  was  commissioned  major. 
He  is  now  (1920)  stationed  at  Parkview,  Penn.,  in  the  U.  S.  Public  Health 
Service,  as  surgeon  in  charge  of  the  Government  hospital. 

The  following  is  from  Col.  L.  A.  Fuller's  recommendations  of  Capt.  L.  C. 
Stillings  for  promotion: 

Capt.  Lee  C.  Stillings,  M.  C. 
He  was  assigned  to  active  service  June  24,  1917,  his  original  assign- 
ment being  at  Plattsburg  Barracks,  N.  Y.     In  civil  life  Capt.  Stillings 
was  an  expert  in  internal  medicine  and  Neuro-psychiatry. 

He  has  been  prominently  identified  in  three  public  institutions,  for  the 
cure  of  nervous  and  mental  diseases.  These  are :  Pennsylvania  State 
hospital,  Danville,  Penn.,  Northern  Michigan  asylum,  Travis  City, 
Mich.,  and  Channing  hospital,  Boston,  Mass.  Since  entering  the  ser- 
vice Capt.  Stillings  has  received  an  intensive  course  in  mental  and  ner- 
vous diseases  at  the  Neurological  institute,  New  York  City.  Capt.  Stil- 
lings joined  for  duty  at  the  base  hospital.  Camp  Pike,  Ark.,  June  6, 
1918.  Upon  arriving  at  that  station  he  was  assigned  as  chief  of  neuro- 
psychiatric  service,  and  president  of  the  S.  C.  D.  board,  as  well  as  be- 
ing camp  examiner  in  nervous  and  mental  diseases.  He  has  continued 
in  this  assignment  and  has  given  complete  satisfaction.  In  the  hand- 
ling of  the  mental  and  nervous  examinations  of  prisoners,  Capt.  Still- 
ings has  performed  with  rare  judgment  and  executive  ability,  co-oper- 
ating well  with  all  officers  concerned,  both  in  the  hospital  and  camp. 

By  L.  A.  Fuller,  colonel.  Medical  Corps,  and  commanding  officer  of 
the  base  hospital.  Camp  Pike,  June  9,  1919;   to  The  Surgeon  General, 
U.  S.  Army,  Washington,  D.  C. 
STILLINGS,  James  Vinton.     A  brother  of  preceding,  served  as  chainnan  of 
the  Liberty  Loan  drive  in  Surry,  during  the  World  war. 

PORTER,  Miss  Kate  H.  She  was  in  charge  of  the  Red  Cross  work  in  town 
during  and  after  the  war. 

LIBERTY  LOANS 

Surry's  loyalty  during  the  World  war  in  loans  has  been  furnished  by  James 
V.  Stillings,  Chairman  Liberty  Loan  committee : 

First  Loan,         $350.00  subscribed.       No  quota  asked. 

Second    "  1700.00 

Third      "  13,450.00        Quota,  $4000.00.     No.   subscribers,  49. 

Fourth  "  10,300.00  "  8100.00.      "  "  37. 

Fifth      "  10,550.00  "         "  "  28. 

ELLIOT  COMMUNITY   HOSPITAL. 

During  the  fall  of  1921  a  drive  was  made  in  Cheshire  county  for  the  new 
Elliot  Community  hospital  at  Keene.  James  V.  Stillings  was  appointed  cap- 
tain of  Surry  team.     The  result  of  the  campaign  follows: 

Surry's  quota,  $1500.00;   amount  subscribed,  $1516.00;   No.  subscribers,  44. 


CHAPTER   IX. 

TOWN,    COUNTY     AND    STATE    OFFICERS,    TOWN     TOPICS,     MISCEL- 
LANEOUS ITEMS. 


TOWN  OFFICERS   FROM  1769  TO   1922 


*  Moderator. 

Town  Clerk 

1769. 

Peter  Hay  ward 

Obadiah  Wilcox 

1770. 

John  Marvin 

Joshua  Darte 

1771. 

Obadiah  Wilcox 

Joshua  Darte 

1772. 

Obadiah  Wilcox 

Joshua  Darte 

1773. 

John  Marvin 

Joshua  Darte 

1774. 

John   Marvin 

Joshua  Darte 

1775. 

John   Marvin 

Obadiah  Wilcox 

1776. 

Thomas  Darte 

Obadiah  Wilcox 

1777. 

Thomas   Darte 

Obadiah  Wilcox 

1778. 

John  Marvin 

Obadiah  Wilcox 

1779. 

John  Marvin 

Obadiah  Wilcox 

1780. 

John  Marvin 

Obadiah  Wilcox 

1781. 

John  Marvin 

Obadiah  Wilcox 

1782. 

John  Marvin. 

Lemuel  Holmes 

1783. 

Thomas  Harvey 

Lemuel  Holmes 

1784. 

Obadiah    Wilcox 

Lemuel  Holmes 

1785. 

Thomas  Harvey 

Lemuel  Holmes 

1786. 

John    Marvin 

Lemuel  Holmes 

1787. 

Thomas  Harvey 

.  Lemuel  Holmes 

1788. 

Obadiah  Wilcox 

Obadiah  Wilcox 

1789. 

Zebulon  Streeter 

Obadiah  Wilcox 

1790. 

Lemuel  Holmes 

Jonathan  Carpenter 

1791. 

Lemuel  Holmes 

Jonathan  Carpenter 

1792. 

Lemuel  Holmes 

Jonathan  Carpenter 

1793. 

Lemuel  Holmes 

Jonathan  Carpenter 

1794. 

John  McCurdy 

Jonathan  Carpenter 

1795. 

Lemuel  Holmes 

Eli  Dart 

1796. 

Lemuel  Holmes 

Eli  Dart 

1797. 

John  McCurdy 

Eli  Dart 

1798. 

John  McCurdy 

Eli  Dart 

1799. 

John  McCurdy 

Eli  Dart 

1800. 

Asa  Hancock 

Eli  Dart 

1801. 

Lemuel  Holmes 

Eli  Dart 

1802. 

Nathan  Estabrook 

Eli  Dart 

1803. 

Nathan  Estabrook 

Eli  Dart 

1804. 

Nathan  Estabrook 

Eli  Dart 

Treasurer. 
Obadiah  Wilcox 
The  Selectmen 
The  Selectmen 
Not  given 
Joshua  Darte 
Not  given 
Not  given 
Not  given 
Obadiah  Wilcox 
Obadiah  Wilcox 
Obadiah  Wilcox 
Obadiah  Wilcox 
Obadiah  Wilcox 
Lemuel  Holmes 
Lemuel  Holmes 
Lemuel  Holmes 
Lemuel  Holmes 
Lemuel  Holmes 
Lemuel  Holmes 
Obadiah  WMlcox 
Obadiah  Wilcox 
Jonathan  Carpenter 
Jonathan  Carpenter 
Jonathan  Carpenter 
Jonathan  Carpenter 
Jonathan  Robinson 
Jonathan  Robinson 
Jonathan  Robinson 
Jonathan  Robinson 
Jonathan  Robinsoii 
Samuel  Allen 
Samuel  Allen 
Samuel  Allen 
Samuel  Allen 
Samuel  Allen 
Samuel  Allen 


*The  moderator  elected  at  the  annual  March   meeting  is   here  given. 


134 


History  of  Surry 


Moderator 

1805.  Asahel  Harvey 

1806.  Ashahel  Harvey 

1807.  Asahel  Harvey 

1808.  Asahel  Harvey 

1809.  Samuel  Hills 

1810.  Asahel  Harvey 

1811.  Asahel  Harvey 

1812.  Samuel  Hills 

1813.  Samuel  Hills 

1814.  Samuel  Hills 

1815.  Samuel  Hills 

1816.  David  Shaw 

1817.  David  Shaw 

1818.  David  Shaw 

1819.  Elijah  Fuller 

1820.  Elijah  Fuller 

1821.  Samuel   Hills 

1822.  Francis  Holbrook 

1823.  Francis  Holbrook 

1824.  Francis  Holbrook 

1825.  Francis  Holbrook 

1826.  Francis  Holbrook 

1827.  Francis  Holbrook 

1828.  Jonathan  E.  Davis 

1829.  Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr. 

1830.  Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr. 

1831.  Sylvester  Smith  * 

1832.  Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr. 

1833.  Francis  Holbrook 

1834.  Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr. 

1835.  Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr. 

1836.  Francis  Holbrook 

1837.  Benjamin  Hills 

1838.  Benjamin  Hills 

1839.  Benjamin  Hills 

1840.  Benjamin  Hills 

1841.  Benjamin  Hills 

1842.  Francis  Holbrook 

1843.  James  Davis 

1844.  Henry  Britton 

1845.  Addison  Smith 

1846.  Benjamin   Hills 

1847.  Francis  Holbrook 

1848.  Benjamin  Hills 

1849.  Benjamin  Hills 

1850.  George  W.  Holbrook 


Town   Clerk. 

Treasurer 

Eli  Dart 

Samuel  Allen 

Eli  Dart 

Samuel  Allen 

Eli  Dart 

Samuel  Allen 

Eli  Dart 

Samuel  Allen 

Eli  Dart 

Samuel  Allen 

Eli  Dart 

Samuel  Allen 

Asahe 

Harvey 

Samuel  Allen 

Asahe 

Harvey 

Samuel  Allen 

Asahe 

Harvey 

Samuel  Allen 

Asahel 

Harvey 

Elijah  Fuller 

Asahe 

Harvey 

Elijah  Fuller 

Asahe 

Harvey 

Elijah  Fuller 

Asahe 

Harvey 

Elijah  Fuller 

Asahe] 

Harvey 

Elijah  Fuller 

Asahe 

Harvey 

Elijah  Fuller 

Asahe 

Harvey 

Samuel  Hills 

Asahe 

Harvey 

Asahel  Harvey 

Asahe 

Harvey 

Asahel  Harvey 

Asahe 

Harvey 

Asahel  Harvey 

Asahe 

Harvey 

Asahel  Harvey 

Asahel 

Harvey 

Asahel  Harvey 

Asahe: 

Harvey 

Asahel  Harvey 

Asahe 

Harvey 

Asahel  Harvey 

Asahe 

Harvey 

Asahel  Harvey 

Asahe 

Harvey 

Asahel  Harvey 

Asahe 

Harvey 

Asahel  Harvey 

Asahe 

Harvey 

Asahel  Harvey 

Asahe 

Harvey 

Asahel  Harvey 

Asahe 

Harvey 

Samuel  Robinson 

Asahe 

Harvey 

Samuel  Robinson 

Asahel 

Harvey 

Benjamin  Hills 

Elipha 

let  Dort 

Chaiies  Johnson 

Jonath 

an  Robinson, 

Jr. Benjamin  Hills 

Jonath 

an  Robinson, 

Jr. Benjamin  Hills 

Jonath 

an  Robinson, 

Jr.  Francis  Holbrook 

Horace 

;  B.  Shaw 

Francis   Holbrook 

Horace 

;  B.  Shaw 

Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr 

Elipha 

let  Dort 

Hollis  Wilcox 

Elipha 

let  Dort 

Elijah  Holbrook 

Elipha 

let  Dort 

Elijah  Holbrook 

Elipha 

let  Dort 

Hollis  Wilcox 

Elipha 

let  Dort 

Henry  T.  Ellis 

Elipha 

let  Dort 

Elijah  H.  Hartwell 

Elipha 

let  Dort 

Arvin  Britton 

Elipha 

let  Dort 

Jonathan  Harvey,  Jr. 

Elipha 

let  Dort 

Henry  T.  Ellis 

*Sylvester    Smitli    who    was    elected    declined    to    serve    and    Jonathan    Robinson,    Jr.,    was 
elected  in  his  place. 


Town  Officers 


135 


Moderator 

Town  Clerk 

Treasurer 

1851. 

Geoi-ge  W.  Holbrook 

Eliphalet  Dort 

Almond  Stevens 

1852. 

Joseph  Allen,  2d 

Eliphalet  Dort 

Jonathan  Harvey,  Jr. 

1853. 

Elijah  Holbrook 

Eliphalet  Dort 

Almond   Stevens 

1854. 

Elijah  Holbrook 

Eliphalet  Dort 

Almond   Stevens 

1855. 

Nathan  D.  Reed 

George  K.  Harvey 

Joshua  D.  Blake 

1856. 

George  W.  Holbrook 

Eliphalet  Dort 

Almond   Stevens 

1857. 

George  W.  Holbrook 

William  H.  Porter 

George  K.  Harvey 

1858. 

George  K.   Harvey 

William  H.  Porter 

George  K.  Harvey 

1859. 

George  W.  Holbrook 

William  H.  Porter 

Willard  Streeter 

1860. 

Isaac  Brown 

Hollis  Wilcox 

Willard  Streeter 

1861. 

Isaac  Brown 

Hollis  Wilcox 

Hollis  Wilcox 

1862. 

George  W.  Holbrook 

William  H.  Porter 

George  Wilcox 

1863. 

Isaac  Brown 

William  H.  Porter 

George  Wilcox 

1864. 

George  W.  Holbrook 

William  H.  Porter 

George  Wilcox 

1865. 

George  K.   Harvey 

William  H.  Porter 

George  Wilcox 

1866. 

George  W.  Holbrook 

William  H.  Porter 

George  Wilcox 

1867. 

George  K.  Harvey 

William  H.  Porter 

George  Wilcox 

1868. 

George  K.  Harvey 

William  H.  Porter 

George  Wilcox 

1869, 

George  K.  Harvey 

William  H.  Porter 

George  Wilcox 

1870. 

George  K.  Harvey 

William  H.  Porter 

George  K.  Harvey 

1871. 

George  K.  Harvey 

William  H.  Porter 

Hollis  Wilcox 

1872. 

Isaac  Brown 

William  H.  Porter 

Willard  Streeter 

1873. 

Isaac  Brown 

Hollis  Wilcox 

Hermon  0.  Streeter 

1874. 

Isaac  Brown 

William  H.  Porter 

Hermon  0.  Streeter 

1875. 

Isaac  Brown 

William  H.  Porter 

William  H.  Porter 

1876. 

Isaac  Brown 

William  H.  Porter 

William  H.  Porter 

1877. 

George  K.  Harvey 

William  H.  Porter 

William  H.  Porter 

1878. 

George  K.  Harvey 

William  H.  Porter 

William  H.  Porter 

1879. 

Asa  B.  Fay 

William  H.  Porter 

William  H.  Porter 

1880. 

George  K.  Harvey 

William  H.  Porter 

William  H.  Porter 

1881. 

George  K.  Harvey 

William  H.  Porter 

William  H.  Porter 

1882. 

George  K.  Harvey 

William  H.  Porter 

William  H.  Porter 

1883. 

George  K.  Harvey 

William  H.  Porter 

George  K.  Harvey 

1884. 

John  H.  Rogers 

Wesley  F.  Wilbur 

Mason  A.  Carpenter 

1885. 

George  K.  Harvey 

Wesley  F.  Wilbur 

Mason  A.  Carpenter 

1886. 

George  •  K.  Harvey 

Wesley  F.  Wilbur 

George  B.  Britton 

1887. 

George  K.  Harvey 

^William  H,  Porter 

George  B.  Britton 

1888. 

George  K.  Harvey 

Wesley  F.  Wilbur 

George  B.  Britton 

1889. 

George  K.  Harvey 

fLaForest  J.  Carpenter 

William  H.  Porter 

1890. 

George  K.  Harvey 

Wesley  F.  Wilbur 

William  H.  Porter 

1891. 

John  H.  Rogers 

§W^esley  F.  Wilbur 

Frank  E.  Nesmith 

1892. 

John  H.  Rogers 

Cyrus  Kingsbury 

George  K.  Harvey 

1893. 

George  K.  Harvey 

Cyrus  Kingsbury 

George  K.  Harvey 

1894. 

George  K.  Harvey 

Cyrus  Kingsbury 

George  K.  Harvey 

*Mr.    Porter    declinetl    and    Wesley    F.    Wilbur    was    then    elected    Town    Clerk. 

tMr.    Carpenter    resigned   and    Cyrus    Kingsbury    apiminted    Mar.    2;i,    1H89. 

§Mr.    Wilbur    removed    from    town    and    Cyrus    Kingsbury    appointed    Sept.    3,    1891. 


136 


History  of  Surry 


Moderator 

Town 

Clerk 

1895. 

George  K. 

Harvey 

Cyrus 

Kin 

igsbury 

1896. 

George  K. 

Harvey 

Cyrus 

Kingsbury 

1897. 

George  K. 

Harvey 

Cyrus 

Kingsbury 

1898. 

Mason  A. 

Carpenter 

Cyrus 

Kir 

[gsbury 

1899. 

Mason  A. 

Carpenter 

Cyrus 

Kir 

Igsbury 

1900. 

Mason  A. 

Carpenter 

Cyrus 

Kir 

Igsbury 

1901. 

MasQn  A. 

Carpenter 

Cyrus 

Kingsbury 

1902. 

Mason  A. 

Carpenter 

Cyrus 

Kingsbury 

190S. 

Hollis  W. 

Harvey 

Cyrus 

Kir 

Igsbury 

1904. 

Mollis  W. 

Harvey 

Cyrus 

Kir 

Igsbury 

1905. 

Hollis  W. 

Harvey 

Cyrus 

Kingsbury 

1906. 

Hollis  W. 

Harvey 

Cyrus 

Kingsbury 

1907. 

Hollis  W. 

Harvey 

Cyrus 

Kingsbury 

1908. 

Hollis  W. 

Harvey 

Cyrus 

Kingsbury 

1909. 

Hollis  W. 

Harvey 

fCyrus 

Kingsbury 

1910. 

Hollis  W. 

Harvey 

Myron 

H. 

Porter 

1911. 

Hollis  W. 

Harvey 

Myron 

H. 

Porter 

1912. 

Hollis  W. 

Harvey 

Myron 

H. 

Porter 

1913. 

Hollis  W. 

Harvey 

Myron 

H. 

Porter 

1914. 

Hollis  W. 

Karvey 

Myron 

H. 

Porter 

1915. 

Hollis  W. 

Harvey 

Myron 

H. 

Porter 

1916. 

Hollis  W. 

Harvey 

Myron 

H. 

Porter 

1917. 

Hollis  W. 

Harvey 

Myron 

H. 

Porter 

1918. 

Hollis  W. 

Harvey 

Myron 

H. 

Porter 

1919. 

Hollis  W. 

Harvey 

Myron 

H. 

Porter 

1920. 

Hollis  W. 

Harvey 

Myron 

H. 

Porter 

1921. 

Hollis  W. 

Harvey 

Myron 

H. 

Porter 

1922. 

Hollis  W. 

Harvey 

Myron 

H. 

Porter 

Treasurer 
George  K.  Harvey 
George  K.  Harvey 
George  K.  Harvey 
Luman  M.  Carpenter 
Luman  M.  Carpenter 
Luman  M.  Carpenter 

*  Luman  M.  Carpenter 
George  B.  Britton 
George  B.  Britton 
George  B.  Britton 
George  B.  Britton 
George  B.  Britton 
George  B.  Britton 
George  B.  Britton 
Frank  E.  Nesmith 
George  B.  Britton 
George  B.  Britton 
George  B.  Britton 
Frank  E.  Nesmith 
Frank  E.  Nesmith 
Frank  E.  Nesmith 
Frank  E.  Nesmith 
Sidney  J.  Wilder 
Sidney  J.  Wilder 

§  Sidney  J.  Wilder 
Hollis  W.  Harvey 
Hollis  W.  Harvey 
James  E.  Harvey 


SELECTMEN 


1769.  Obadiah  Wilcox 
John  Marvin 
Peter  Hayw^ard 

1770.  John  Marvin 
Joshua  Dart 
Peter  Hayw^ard 

1771.  John  Marvin 
Obadiah  Wilcox 
Thomas  Harvey 

1772.  Obadiah  Wilcox 
Peter  Hayw^ard 
Thomas  Harvey 


1773.  Joshua  Darte 
Obadiah  Wilcox 
John   Marvin 

1774.  John  Marvin 
Joshua  Dart 
Eliphalet  Dart 

1775.  Obadiah  Wilcox 
John   Marvin 
Eliphalet  Dart 

1776.  Obadiah  Wilcox 
Thomas  Harvey 
Thomas  Dart 


*Mr.    Carpenter    deceased,    George    B.    Britton    appointed    July   27,    ]901. 
tMr.    Kingsbiiry    resigned,    Myron    H.    Porter    appointed    Oct.    4,    1909. 
§Mr.    Wilder    declined    and    TTollis    W.    Harvey    was    elected. 


Town  Officers 


137 


1777.  Joshua  Dart 
Obadiah  Wilcox 
Thomas  Dart 

1778.  John   Marvin 
Thomas  Harvey 
Hiram  Chapin 

1779.  Obadiah  Wilcox 
Thomas  Harvey 
Hiram  Chapin 

1780.  John  Marvin 
Joshua  Dart 
Moses  D.  Field 

1781.  William  Russell 
Thomas  Harvey 
Peter  Hayward 

1782.  Lemuel   Holmes 
John  Marvin 
Moses   D.   Field 

1783.  Thomas  Harvey 
William  Barron 
Joshua  Fuller 

1784.  William  Barron 
Jonathan  Reed 
Nathan  Hayward 

1785.  Thomas  Harvey 
Obadiah  Wilcox 
Jonathan  Reed 

1786.  Thomas  Harvey 
William  Barron 
Moses  D.  Field 

1787.  Thomas  Harvey 
William  Barron 
Asa  Hancock 

1788.  Obadiah  Wilcox 
Nathan    Hayward 
Asa  Hancock 
Philip    Monroe 
Jonathan   Carpenter 

1789.  Jonathan  Carpenter 
Nathan  Hayward 
Zebulon  Streeter 

1790.  Lemuel  Holmes 
Jonathan  Carpenter 
Nathan  Hayward 


SELECTMEN— Continued. 

1791.  Jonathan  Carpenter 
Levi  Fuller 
John  McCurdy 

1792.  Jonathan   Carpenter 
Levi  Fuller 
John  McCurdy 

1793.  Thomas  Harvey 
Samuel  Hills 
Asa  Wilcox 

1794.  Lemuel  Holmes 
Jonathan  Carpenter 
Samuel  Hills 

1795.  Jonathan   Carpenter 
Sainuel  Hills 
Nathan  Hayward 

1796.  Samuel  Hills 
Nathan  Hayward 
Asa  Hancock 


1797.  Samuel  Hills 
Nathan    Hayward 
Asahel  Harvey 

1798.  Samuel  Hills 
Nathan  Hayward 
Asahel  Harvey 

1799.  Samuel  Hills 
Nathan    Hayward 
Calvin  Hayward 

1800.  Samuel  Hills 
Asa  Hancock 
Sarel  Hayward 

1801.  Jonathan  Robinson 
Sarel  Hayward 
Samuel  Hills 

1802.  Samuel  Hills 
Nathan  Estabrook 
Calvin  Hayward 

1803.  Samuel  Hills 
Asahel  Harvey 
Nathan  Estabrook 

1804.  Nathan  Estabrook 
Asahel  Harvey 
Simon  Baxter 

1805.  Samuel  Hills 
Asahel  Harvey 
Benjamin  Carpenter,  Jr. 


138 


History  of  Surry 


SELECTMEN— Continued. 


1806.  Samuel  Hills 
Asahel  Harvey 
Benjamin  Carpenter,  Jr. 

1807.  Samuel  Hills 
Asahel  Harvey 
Eli  Dort 

1808.  Samuel  Hills 
Asahel  Harvey 
Eli  Dort 

1809.  Samuel  Hills 
Eli  Dort 
Levi  Hancock 

1810.  Samuel  Hills 
Eli  Dort 
Levi  Hancock 

1811.  Samuel  Hills 
Eli  Dort 
John  Thayer 

1812.  Samuel  Hills 
Eli  Dort 
Levi  Hancock 

1813.  Samuel  Hills 
Eli  Dort 
Levi  Hancock 

1814.  Samuel  Hills 
Eli  Dort 
Jonas  Pollard 

1815.  Samuel  Hills 
Jonas  Pollard 
David  Shaw 

1816.  Jonas  Pollard 
David  Shaw 
Francis  Holbrook 

1817.  Jonas  Pollard 
David  Shaw 
Francis  Holbrook 

1818.  Jonas  Pollard 
David   Shaw 
Isaac  Field 

1819.  Eli  Dort 
Royal  Watkins 
Josiah  Knight 


1820.  Francis  Holbrook 
Sylvester  Smith 
IcHabod  Crane 

1821.  Francis  Holbrook 
Sylvester  Smith 
Jonas  Pollard 

1822.  FrAncis  Holbrook 
Sylvester  Smith 
Jonas  Pollard 

1823.  Francis   Holbrook 
Sylvester  Smith 
Samuel    Robinson 

1824.  Francis   Holbrook 
Sylvester  Smith 
Samuel  Robinson 

1825.  Francis  Holbrook 
Samuel  Robinson 
Benjamin  Carpenter,  Jr. 

1826.  Francis   Holbrook 
Benjamin  Carpenter,  Jr. 
Peter  Hayward 

1827.  Francis  Holbrook 
Sylvester  Smith 
Benjamin  Carpenter,  Jr. 

1828.  Francis  Holbrook 
Jonathan  E.  Davis 
Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr. 

1829.  Francis  Holbrook 
Samuel  Robinson 
Peter  Hayward 

1830.  Francis  Holbrook 
Samuel  Robinson 
Benjamin  Carpenter,  Jr. 

1831.  Francis  Holbrook 
Samuel  Robinson 
William   Perkins 

1832.  Francis  Holbrook 
Sylvester  Smith 
Peter  Hayward 

1833.  Samuel  Robinson 
Peter  Hayward 
Benjamin   Hills 


Town  Officers 


139 


SELECTMEN— Continued. 


1834.  Samuel  Robinson 
Benjamin   Hills 
Peter  Hayward 

1835.  Samuel   Robinson 
Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr. 
Mollis  Wilcox 

1836.  Francis  Holbrook 
Hollis  Wilcox 
Warren  Carpenter 

1837.  Samuel   Robinson 
George  Crehore 
Jonathan  Harvey,  Jr. 

1838.  Samuel  Robinson 
Daniel  Abbott 
Eliphaz  Field 

1839.  Samuel  Robinson 
Benjamin  Hills 
Peter  Hayward 

1840.  Benjamin  Hills 
Jonathan  Robinson 
Daniel  Abbott 

1841.  Jonathan  Robinson 
Benjamin  Hills 
Peter  Hayward 

1842.  Francis  Holbrook 
Sylvester  Smith 
Peter   Hayward 

1843.  Hollis  Wilcox 
Eliphaz  Field 
Henry  T.  Ellis 

1844.  Hollis  Wilcox 
Henry  T.  Ellis 
Peter  Hayward 

1845.  Henry  T.  Ellis 
Elijah  Holbrook 
Nathan  D.  Reed 

1846.  Elijah  Holbrook 
Nathan  D.  Reed 
William  Carpenter 

1847.  Nathan  D.  Reed 
William  Carpenter 
Henry  T.  Ellis 


1848.  Nathan   D.   Reed 
George   Wilcox 
Almond  Stevens 

1849.  Peter  Hayward 
Bradley  Britton 
Henry  T.  Ellis 

1850.  Elijah  Holbrook 
Hollis  Wilcox 
Eliphalet   Dort 

1851.  Elijah  Holbrook 
Hollis  Wilcox 
William   Carpenter 

1852.  Jonathan  Robinson 
Daniel  Abbott 
Edmund  Woodward 

1853.  Elijah  Holbrook 
William  Carpenter 
Isaac  Brown 

1854.  Elijah  Holbrook 
Henry  T.  Ellis 
Hiram  Britton 

1855.  Hollis  Wilcox 
Nathan  D.  Reed 
I.  Sumner  Wilder 

1856.  Nathan  D.  Reed 
Hollis  Wilcox 
Willard  Streeter 

1857.  Edmund   Woodward 
I.  Sumner  Wilder 
Josiah  Kingsbury 

1858.  Edmund  Woodward 
I.  Sumner  Wilder 
Daniel  Abbott 

1859.  Henry  T.  Ellis 
George  W.  Holbrook 
Calvin  Randall 

1860.  Nathan  D.  Reed 
George  W.  Holbrook 
Calvin  Randall 

1861.  Nathan  D.  Reed 
George  W.  Holbrook 
Calvin  Randall 


140 


History  of  Surry 


SELECTMEN— Continued. 


1862. 


1863. 


1864. 


1865. 


1866. 


1867. 


George  W.  Holbrook 
George  K.  Harvey 
Bradley  Britton 

HoUis  Wilcox 
George  K.  Harvey 
Calvin  Randall 

George  W.  Holbrook 
George  K.  Harvey 
Bradley  Britton 

George  W.  Holbrook 
George  K.  Harvey 
Henry  T.  Ellis 

I.  Sumner  Wilder 
George  C.  Hubbard 
Joshua  D.  Blake 


George  K.  Harvey 
George  C.  Hubbard 
George  Wilcox 

1868.  George  Wilcox 
George  K.  Harvey 
Amos  H.  Carter 

1869.  George  K.  Harvey 
Joshua  D.  Blake 
Henry  T.  Ellis 

1870.  Henry  T.  Ellis 
William  H.  Porter 
Francis   F.   Field 

1871.  Henry  T.  Ellis 
Luman  M.  Carpenter 
Harrison  N.  Scripture 

1872.  Hollis  Wilcox 
Luman  M.  Carpenter 
William  L.  Kingsbury 

1873.  Hollis  Wilcox 
Luman  M.  Carpenter 
William  L.  Kingsbury 

1874.  Hollis  Wilcox 
Luman  M.  Carpenter 
George  K.  Harvey 

1875.  Luman  M.  Carpenter 
Henry  T.  Ellis 
Isaac  Brown 


1876.  George  K.  Harvey 
Joshua  D.   Blake 
Frederick  R.  Grain 

1877.  George  K.  Harvey 
Joshua  D.  Blake 
Francis  F.  Field 

1878.  George  K.  Harvey 
Francis  F.  Field 
Mason  A.  Carpenter 

1879.  Harrison  N.  Scripture 
Mason  A.  Carpenter 
John  H.  Rogers 

1880.  John  H.  Rogers 
Luman  M.  Carpenter 
Stephen  H.  Clement 

1881.  Luman  M.  Carpenter 
John  H.  Rogers 
Stephen  H.  Clement 

1882.  Mason  A.  Carpenter 
Luman   M.   Carpenter 
Frank  E.  Ellis 

1883.  Myron  H.  Porter 
Charles  H.  Blake 
William  H.  Porter 

1884.  Luman  M.  Carpenter 
John  H.  Rogers 
James  D.  Carter 

1885.  Harrison   N.   Scripture 
Stephen  H.  Clement 
Frank  DeW.  Carpenter 

1886.  Luman   M.   Carpenter 
George  K,  Harvey 
George  M.  Hodgkins 

1887.  George  K.  Harvey 
Luman  M.  Carpenter 
Frank  E.  Ellis 

1888.  George  K.  Harvey 
Luman  M.  Carpenter 
Frank  E.  Nesmith 

1889.  George  K.  Harvey 
Frank  E.  Nesmith 
Luman  M.  Carpenter 


Town  Officers 


141 


SELECTMEN— Continued. 


1890.  Luman  M.  Carpenter 
George  K.  Harvey 
Daniel  Wilder 

1891.  Luman  M.  Carpenter 
Daniel  Wilder 
Stephen  H.  Clement 

1892.  Frank  E.  Nesmith 
Stephen  H.  Clement 
Otis  W.  Kingsbury 

1893.  Frank  E.  Nesmith 
Stephen  H.  Clement 
Otis  W.  Kingsbury 

1894.  Frank  E.  Nesmith 
Stephen  H.  Clement 
Myron  H.  Porter 

1895.  Frank  E.  Nesmith 
Stephen  H.  Clement 
Myron  H.  Porter 

1896.  Frank  E.  Nesmith 
Stephen  H.  Clement 
Fred'k  R.  Crain 

1897.  Frank  E.  Nesmith 
Fred'k  R.  Crain 
Harrison  N.  Scripture 

1898.  Frank  E.  Nesmith 
Fred'k  R.  Crain 
Harrison  N.  Scripture 

1899.  Frank  E.  Nesmith 
Fred'k  R.  Crain 
Harrison  N.  Scripture 

1900.  Frank   E.   Nesmith 
Harrison  N.  Scripture 
Stephen   H.  Clement 

1901.  Mason  A.  Carpenter 
Stephen  H.  Clement 
Frank  E.  Nesmith 

1902.  Mason  A.  Carpenter 
Sidney  J.  Wilder 
Myron  H.  Porter 

1903.  Harrison  N.  Scripture 
Fred'k  R.  Crain 
Stephen  H.  Clement 


1904.  Harrison  N.  Scripture 
Fred'k  R.  Crain 
Stephen  H.  Clement 

1905.  Harrison  N.  Scripture 
Stephen  H.  Clement 
Hollis  W.  Harvey 

1906.  Harrison  N.  Scripture 
Stephen  H.  Clement 
Hollis  W.  Harvey 

1907.  Frank  E.  Nesmith 
Stephen  H.  Clement 
Hollis  W.  Harvey 

1908.  Frank   E.   Nesmith 
Stephen  H.  Clement 
Hollis  W.  Harvey 

1909.  Harrison  N.  Scripture 
Hollis  W.  Harvey 
Leon  A.  Hodgkins 

1910.  Frank  E.  Nesmith 
Hollis  W.  Harvey 

Leon  H.  Hodgkins 

1911.  Frank  E.  Nesmith 
Hollis  W.  Harvey 
Leon. A.  Hodgkins 

1912.  Hollis  W.  Harvey 
Sidney  J.  Wilder 
Leon  A.  Hodgkins 

1913.  Hollis  W.  Harvey 
Sidney  J.  Wilder 
Leon  A.  Hodgkins 

1914.  Hollis   W.   Harvey 
Sidney  J.  Wilder 
Weston  E.  Wilbur 

1915.  Hollis  W.   Harvey 
Sidney  J.  Wilder 
Clarence  H.  French 

1916.  Hollis   W.   Harvey 
Clarence  H.  French 
James  V.  Stillings 

1917.  Hollis  W.  Harvey 
Clarence  H.  French 
James  V.  Stillings 


142 


History  of  Surry 


SELECTMEN— Continued. 


1918.  Hollis  W.  Harvey 
Clarence  H.  French 
James  V.  Stillings 

1919.  Hiram  F.  Newell 
Mason  A.  Carpenter 
George  Malcolm 

1920.  Samuel  Ball 
Merrill  D.  Carpenter 
George  B.  Conley 


1921.  Samuel  Ball,  fS  yrs. 
George  B.  Conley,  2  yrs. 
Frank  B.  Kingsbury,  1  yr. 

1922.  Hollis  W.  Harvey,  3  yrs. 
Samuel  Ball,  2  yrs. 
George  B.  Conley    1  yr. 


REPRESENTATIVES. 

The  first  evidence  of  Surry  being  represented  in  the  legislature  was  at  the 
"Fourth  Provincial  Congress"  which  met  at  Exeter,  May  17,  1775,  when  Tim- 
ithy  Ellis  of  Keene  was  a  delegate  from  "Keen  &  Surry,"  according  to  Gil- 
sum  History.  From  that  time,  until  1827,  Surry  was  classed  with  other 
towns  in  sending  a  representative  to  the  general  court.  Surry  sent  her  own 
representative  nearly  every  year  from  1827  until  1878  when  the  amended  con- 
stitution went  into  effect  and  representatives  were  elected  bienially  in  No- 
vember, in  the  even  years,  beginning  with  1878. 

The  following  men  have  sei'ved  as  representative; 


1775. 
1776. 
1777. 
1778. 
1779. 
1780. 
1781. 
1782. 
1783. 
1784. 
1785, 
1788. 
1789, 
1793. 
1794. 
1795, 
1796, 
1799. 
1802, 
1805, 


Timothy  Ellis  of  Keen,  for  Keene  and  Surry. 


Nathaniel    S.    Prentice   of    Alstead 

Obadiah  Wilcox  of  Surry 

Absalom  Kingsbury  of  Alstead 

Jonathan  Royce  of  Marlow 

Jonathan  Smith,  Sr.,  of  Surry 

Woolston  Brockway  of  Surry  at  Vt. 

Absalom  Kingsbury  of  Alstead 

Lemuel  Holmes  of  Surry 

Nathaniel  S.  Prentice  of  Alstead 

'86,  '87.'    Lemuel  Holmes  of  Surry 

Jonathan  Reed  of  Surry 

'90,  '91,  '92.     Lemuel  Holmes  of  Surry* 

Roswell  Hubbard  of  Sullivan 

John  McCurdy  of  Surry 

'97,  '01,  '03.     David  Blish  of  Gilsum 

'98,  '00.     Jonathan  Robinson  of   Surry 

Zadock   Hurd  of   Gilsum 

'04.     Jonathan  Robinson  of  Surry 

'07,  '11.     Samuel  Whitney  of  Gilsum 


for  Alstead,  Surry  and  Marlow. 


Surry,  and  Gilsum. 

Gilsum  and  Sullivan. 


tin  roniiiliaiue  with  an  att  of  the  lii'Kislaturc,  passed  Feb.  1921.  one  selectman  will 
be  elected  annually  to  serve  for  three  years.  March,  1921,  Samuel  Ball  was  elected 
for   three    years:    (Jeoree    B.    Conlev,    1\vo    and    Frank    H.    Kingrsburv    for    one    year. 

*Ijemuel    Holmes   was    a   member   of    the   Oouncil   in    1792,    '93. 


Town  Officers 


143 


1806 
1809 
1810 
1813 
1817 
1818 
1819 
1820 
1825 
1826 
1827 
1829 
1831 
1833 
1834 
1837 
1841 
1843 
1844 
1846 
1848 
1850 
1882 
1884 
1886 
1888 
1890 
1892 
1894 
1896 
1898 
1904 
1906 


'08.     Asa  Wilcox,  Sr.  of  Surry 

Robert  Lane   Hurd  of  Gilsum 

'12,  '14,  '16.     Samuel  Hills  of  Surry 

'15.     David  Blish  of  Gilsum 

Jonathan  Pease  of  Gilsum 

Elijah   Fuller  of   Surry 

'21,  '23.     John   Hammond  of  Gilsum 

'22,  '24.     Sylvester  Smith  of  Surry 

Luther  Whitney  of  Gilsum 

Francis  Holbrook  of  Surry 
'28,  36.     Francis  Holbrook.  1853,  '54,  '63.  George  W.  Holbrook. 

'30.     Samuel  Robinson.  1855,  '56.     Henry  T.  Ellis. 

'32.     Benjamin   Hills.  1857,  '58.     Joseph  Allen,  2d. 

'39,  '42,  '52,  '60,  '61,  '62,  none  sent.   1859.    George  Wilcox. 


'35,  '40.     Peter  Hayward. 
'38.     Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr 

Daniel  Abbott. 

George  Crehore. 
'45,  '59.     George  Wilcox. 
'47,  '75.     Hollis  Wilcox. 
'49.     Elijah  Holbrook. 
'51.     Nathan  D.  Reed. 


1864,  '65.  George  W.  Holbrook. 
1866,  '67,  '79.     George  K.  Harvey. 
1868,  '69.     William  H.  Porter. 

1870.  Jonathan  R.  Field. 

1871,  '72.     Geo.  Milton  Reed. 
1873,  '74.     Isaac  Brown. 
1876,  '77.  Asa  B.  Fay.* 
1878.    Francis  F.  Field. 

Harrison  N.  Scripture  of  Surry,  also  elected  for  Sullivan  and  Roxbury, 

Daniel  Willard  Rugg  of  Sullivan,  also  for  Surry  and  Roxbury. 

David  B.  Nims  of  Roxbury,  also  for  Surry  and  Sullivan. 

Mason  A.  Carpenter  of  Surry,  also  for  Sullivan  and  Roxbury. 

Frederick   R.   Grain   of   Surry.   1908.     Stephen   H.   Clement   of   Surry. 

None  elected.  1910,     1912,  none  elected. 

Frank   E.  Nesmith.  1914.     Frederick  R.  Grain  of  Surry. 

Mason  A.  Carpenter  of  Surry.   1916.     None  elected. 

1900,  1902  none  elected.  1918.     Frank  E.  Nesmith. 

Edward   J.   Guillow   of   Surry.   1920.     None  elected. 

None  elected.  1922.     Samuel   Ball   to   serve,   1923-24. 

CONSTABLES 


In  early  days  the  office  of  town  Constable  was  one  of  great  importance  and 
one  man  at  least  was  chosen  at  each  annual  meeting.  Their  duties  were 
similar  to  the  present  deputy  sheriff.  They  represented  the  majesty  of  the 
law,  and  were  charged  with  serving  of  summons.  Frequently  the  constable 
was  chosen  the  tax  collector.  The  following  men  have  served  as  constable  in 
Surry. 

1769.  Nathaniel  Dart  1774. 

1770.  Abel  Allen 

1771.  William  Hayward 

1772.  William  Barron  1777. 

1773.  Peter  Hayward  1778. 


Thomas  Harvey 

1775.  Thomas  Darte 

1776.  Jonathan  Smith 
Joshua  Fuller 
Moses  D.  Field 


*In  accordance  with  the  Constitutional  Convention  amendment  of   1.S76  the  sessions  of  the 
Legislature    were    made    1  ianiuial    from    that    time. 


144 


History  of  Surry 


CONSTABLES— Continued. 


1779.  Eliphalet  Darte 

1780.  Not  given 

1781.  Zebulon   Streeter 

1782.  Zebulon  Streeter  * 

1783.  Samuel  Smith 

1784.  Jeremiah  Chapin  ** 

1785.  John  McCurdy 

1786.  Nathan  Hayward 

1787.  Levi  Fuller 

1788.  Delevan   Delance 
Asa  Hancock 

1789.  Delevan   Delance 
Asa  Hancock 

1790.  James  McCurdy 

1791.  John  Brockway 

1792.  Philip  Monroe 

1793.  Moses  Field 

1794.  Daniel  Smith  *** 

1795.  Stephen  Smith 

1796.  Stephen  Smith 

1797.  Cushman  Smith 

1798.  Calvin  Hayward 

1799.  Philip  Monroe 

1800.  Philip  Monroe 

1801.  Philip  Monroe 

1802.  Philip  Monroe 

1803.  Philip  Monroe 

1804.  Levi  Fuller 

1805.  Simon  Baxter 

1806.  Jonathan  Harvey 

1807.  Jonathan  Harvey 

1808.  Jonathan  Harvey 

1809.  Isaac  Bundy 

1810.  Isaac  Bundy 

1811.  Jeremiah  Robbins 

1812.  Jeremiah  Robbins 

1813.  Jeremiah  Robbins 

1814.  Jeremiah  Robbins  § 

1815.  William  Baxter  §§ 

1816.  William  Baxter 


1817.  William  Baxter 

1818.  James  Ingals  f. 

1819.  Cyrus  Field 

1820.  James  Redding 

1821.  William  Baxter 

1822.  Jonas  Pollard 

1823.  Jonas  Pollard 

1824.  Cyrus  Field 

1825.  William  Baxter 

1826.  William  Baxter 

1827.  Jonathan  Robinson  Jr. 

1828.  Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr. 

1829.  Benjamin  Hills 

1830.  Benjamin  Hills 

1831.  Benjamin  Hills 

1832.  Ichabod  Ballou 

1833.  Benjamin  Hills 

1834.  Benjamin  Hills 

1835.  Daniel  Allen 

1836.  Ichabod  Ballou 

1837.  Benjamin  Hills 

1838.  Benjamin  Hills 

1839.  Joshua  D.  Blake 

1840.  Benjamin  Hills 

1841.  Benjamin  Hills 

1842.  Eliphalet  Dort 

1843.  Henry  Britton 

1844.  Henry  Britton 

1845.  Henry  Britton 

1846.  Benjamin  Hills 

1847.  Elijah  Holbrook 

1848.  Henry  Britton 

1849.  Benjamin  Hills 

1850.  George  W.  Holbrcok 

1851.  George  W.  Holbrook 

1852.  Bradley  Britton 

1853.  Philander  Stone 

1854.  None  given 

1855.  Andrew  J.   Allen 

1856.  Andrew  J.  Allen 


*In    1782,    Mr.    Streeter   was    dismissed   and    Abner    Skinner    and    Ichabod    Smith    chosen. 

**1784,    Chapin    rem.    from    town    and    Abiah    Crane    appointed. 

***1704   Elijah  Norri.s  was  appointed  in  place  of   Mr.   Smith. 

§1814  .Jeremiah  Robbins  was  paid  $7. .50  for  services  in  1815.  William  Baxter  gave  $5.60 
for  the  itrivilege  of  being  appointed  constable,  and  tax  collector.  For  several  years 
thereafter,  the  oflice  of  constable  was  soURht  after  by  the  voters,  and  as  late  as  1819, 
Cyrus  Field  paid   .50c  to  the  town  for  the  privilege. 

tMr.  Ingals  was  elected  in  18  18,  but  did  not  iinalify,  and  William  Baxter  was  elected 
in    his    stead. 


Town  Officers 


145 


CONSTABLES— Continued. 


1857. 

William  Kingsbuiy 

1897. 

1858. 

Samuel  H.  Poole 

1898. 

1859. 

Samuel  H.  Poole 

1899. 

1860. 

-'63,  none  given 

.   1900. 

1864. 

Samuel  H.  Poole 

1901. 

1865. 

Samuel  H.  Poole 

1904. 

1866. 

Samuel  H.  Poole 

1905. 

1867 

-'73,  none  given 

1906. 

1874. 

Alonzo  F.  Wilbur 

1907. 

Charles  G.  Crain 

1908. 

1875. 

None  given? 

1809. 

1876. 

Samuel  H.  Poole 

1910. 

1877. 

Samuel  H.  Poole 

1911. 

1878. 

-'91,  none  given 

1912, 

1892. 

Ernest  W.  Carpenter 

1914. 

1893. 

Ernest  W.  Carpenter 

1915. 

1894. 

-'95.     Charles  A.  Blake  *§ 

1918. 

1895. 

Frank  DeW.  Carpenter 

1919. 

Ernest  W.  Carpenter 

1920. 

1896. 

Ernest  W.  Carpenter 

1921. 

Ernest  W.  Carpenter 
Ernest  W.  Carpenter 
None  given 
Charles  L.  Kimmins 
-'03,  none  given 
Mason  A.  Carpenter  * 
Mason  A.  Carpenter 
Mason  A.  Carpenter 
Sidney  J.  Wilder 
Orman  L.  Blake 
Melville  C.  Lewis 
Henry  A.  Pike 
Herbert  R.  Crain 
'13    none  given 
Weston  E.  Wilbur 
Clifton  G.  Chambers 

Melville  C.  Lewis 
Melville  C.  Lewis 
Frank  C.  Britton 


SUPERVISORS 

Nov.  5,  1878,  the  first  supervisors  of  the  check  list  were  elected,  who  served 
two  years.     The  following  have  served  in  that  office: 

Asa  B.  Fay,  Joshua  D.  Blake,  Cyrus  Kingsbury,  Charles  Wharton  Wilcox, 
Harrison  N.  Scripture,  John  A.  Blake,  Charles  A.  Blake,  George  L.  Britton, 
Myron  H.  Porter,  LaForest  J.  Carpenter,  G.  Milton  Reed,  John  H.  Rogers, 
George  B.  Britton,  Charles  F.  Britton,  Daniel  Wilder,  Arthur  M,  Carpenter, 
Charles  H.  Britton,  Archie  G.  Wilder,  Hollis  W.  Harvey,  Henry  A.  Pike, 
Alonzo  F.  Wilbur,  John  W.  Conley,  William  T.  Olds,  Edward  M.  Britton, 
Hiram  F.  Newell,  Samuel  L.  Newton,  Henry  P.  Porter,  George  B.  Conley, 
Lewis  C.  Buntlin,  Frank  E.  Ellis,  George  H.  Joslin,  Leon  A.  Hodgkins,  George 
Malcolm,  Harrie  E.  Scripture. 

BOARD  OF  HEALTH 

This  board,  consisting  of  three  members,  appears  to  have  been  established 
in  1900.  Each  member  serves  for  a  period  of  three  years,  one  being  elected 
each  year.     The  following  have  served  on  the  board : 

Mason  A.  Carpnter,  Warren  E.  Pierce,  Harrison  N.  Scripture,  Frank  E. 
Nesmith,  Frank  E.  Ellis,  Sidney  J.  Wilder,  Hollis  W.  Harvey,  Hiram  F. 
Newell,  Henry  A.  Pike,  Stephen  H.  Clement,  Edward  M.  Britton,  Melville  C. 
Lewis,  Leon  A.  Hodgkins.  Since  about  1910  the  health  officer  has  received 
his  appointment  from  the  state  board  of  health. 


'■■§From   1894  to   1905,  men  served  to  some  extent  as   constable  and  police  officer. 


10 


146 


History  of  Surry 


CONSTITUTIONAL   CONVENTIONS 


The  Fifth  Provincial  Congress  met  at  Exeter,  N.  H.,  Dec.  21,  1775,  and 
since  that  date  they  have  been  termed  "Constitutional  Convention,"  all  of 
which  have  convened  at  Concord. 

Nathaniel  Sartile  Prentice  of  Alstead  was  a  delegate  from  Alstead,  Surry 
and  Marlow  in  1775.  Surry  sent  no  delegate  in  1778  and  1781.  Lemuel 
Holmes  of  Surry  was  a  delegate  from  Surry,  Gilsum  and  Sullivan,  1791. 
George  K,  Harvey  of  Surry  was  a  delegate  in  1889  from  Surry,  Sullivan  and 
Roxbury. 

The  following  table  gives  the  Number,  Date  and  Delegate  from  Surry: 


Fifth  Provincial  Congress  Dec.  21,  1775 


2nd,  Consti'al  Convention  June  10,  1778 

3rd, 

4th, 

5th, 

6th, 

7th, 

8th, 


9th, 
10th, 


June 

1, 

1781 

Sept. 

7, 

1791 

Nov. 

6, 

1850 

Dec. 

6, 

1876 

Jan. 

2, 

1889 

Dec. 

2, 

1902 

June 

5, 

1912 

June 

5, 

1918 

Nathaniel  S.  Prentice,  of  Al- 
stead. 

Surry  sent  no  delegate. 

Surry  sent  no  delegate. 

Lemuel  Holmes,  of  Surry. 

Francis  Holbrook,  of  Surry. 

George  K.  Harvey,  "         " 

George  K,  Harvey,  "         " 

Stephen  H.  Clement,  of 
Surry. 

*  Hiram  F.  Newell,  of  Surry. 

Mason  A.  Carpentei',  of 
Surry. 


The  tenth  constitutional  convention,  was  adjourned  in  1918  on  account  of 
the  World  war,  but  was  recalled,  Jan.  13,  1920.     Recalled  again  Feb.  1923. 

SEXTONS 

Men  were  first  chosen  to  fill  the  office  of  Sexton  at  the  annual  Town  Meet- 
ing Mar.  4,  1788,  although  not  always  annually  chosen  thereafter,  the  men 
then  in  office  appear  to  have  "held  over"  from  one  year  to  another. 

Prior  to  1800  no  more  than  two  men  were  chosen  annually  to  fill  this  office, 
but  later  and  for  some  years  four  were  annually  chosen — one  for  each  ceme- 
tery in  town.  The  village  sexton  also  had  the  care  of  the  old  meeting  house 
for  many  years.  In  1796  Delevan  Delance,  Jr.  was  chosen  to  sweep  and  care 
for  the  Meeting  House  for  which  he  received  a  salary  of  |2.00  for  the  year. 
In  1800  the  salary  was  $2.50;  in  1807,  |4.00,  and  in  1813  $4.50  per  annum. 

After  the  church  bell  had  been  presented  to  the  town,  in  addition  to  car- 
ing for  the  meeting  house,  the  village  sexton  for  many  years  rang  the  bell 
each  week  day  at  noon  and  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening. 

For  nearly  50  years  Benjamin  C.  Crosby  filled  the  office  of  village  sexton 
and  rang  the  church  bell  twice  each  day  a  good  portion  of  that  time. 


*Hiram  F.  Newell,  of  Surry  has  been  a  delegate  at  three  conventions  from  three  seperate 
towns — from  Alstead  in  1889;  from  Keene,  1902;  and  from  Surry  in  1912 — -an  honor  no 
other  man   in   this   state  thus   far  has   attained. 


Town  Officers  147 

The  following-  is  a  list  of  the  village  sextons  as  far  as  ascertained: 
Phinehas  Allen— 1788,  '97,  '98,  1800,  '01,  '02,  '03  to  '15,  '17,  '18,  '22,  to  '26. 
John  Marvin,  Jr.— 1788,  '90,  '92. 

Delevan  Delance— 1793.     Delevan  Balance,  Jr.,  1794,  '95,  '96. 
Samuel  Allen— 1799. 
Aaron  Hayw^ard — 1816. 
Augustus  Johnson — 1819. 
Abijah  Benton— 1820,  '21,  '30. 
James  Britton — 1827. 

George  Allen— 1828,  '29,  '30,  '31,  '32,  '33,  '34,  '35,  '36,  '37,  '38. 
Otis  Daggett— 1839. 
Holland  Stevens— 1840. 

Ichabod  Ballou— 1841,  '42,  '43,  '44,  '45,  '46,  '47,  '48. 

Benjamin  C.  Crosby — 1849,  '50,  '52  and  until  nearly  the  time  of  his  death 
in  1898. 

William  Carpenter — 1851. 

Edward  M.  Britton  has  been  sexton  during  recent  years. 

An  incomplete  list  of  sextons  at  the  South  cemetery: 

Samuel  M'Curdy— 1790,  '92,  '93,  1802. 

Samuel  M'Curdy,  Jr.— 1794,  '95,  '96,  '97,  '98,  '99,  1800. 

Elias  Hayward— 1801. 

Capt.  Calvin  Hayward— 1803,  '04,  '05,  '06  and  to  1813. 

Nathan  Hayward— 1814,  '16,  '17,  '19,  '20,  '26,  '27,  '28,  '29,  '30. 

Nathan  Hayward,  Jr. — 1818. 

Lemuel  Page— 1821,  '22. 

Eliphaz  Field— 1823,  '24,  '25,  '31,  and  to  1843. 

Edmond  Woodward— 1844,  '45,  '46,  '47,  '48,  '57,  '61. 

Jonathan  R.  Field— 1849,  '50,  '51,  '52,  '53,  '54,  '55,  '56. 

David  Shaw— 1815. 

Sextons  were  not  chosen  for  this  part  of  the  town  after  about  1861. 

The  Sextons  for  the  South-West  cemetery  as  far  as  known  were: 

Levi  Hancock— 1800,  '10,  '11,  '12,  '13,  '14. 

David  Allen— 1815,  '16,  '17. 

Benjamin  Britton — 1818,  '19. 

William  Wright— 1820,  '21,  '22,  '23,  '24,  '25,  '26,  '27,  '28,  '29. 

Daniel  Allen— 1831,  '32,  '39. 

Moses  Wright— 1833,  '34,  '35,  '36,  '37. 

Hiram  Britton— 1838,  '40,  '41,  '42,  '43,  '44,  '45,  '46,  '54,  '55. 

David  Allen,  Jr.— 1847,  '48,  '50,  '51,  '52,  '53. 

Philip  Thomas,  Jr.— 1849. 

Calvin  Wright— 1856. 

Chauncy  N.  Kenney— 1861,  '62. 

No  sextons  appear  to  have  been  chosen  for  this  cemetery  after  1862. 

The  sextons  chosen  for  the  small  cemetery  on  Pond  road — sometimes  called 
the  "Carpenter  Grave-yard,"  as  far  as  known,  were: 

Benjamin  Carpenter,  Jr.— 1836,  '37,  '38,  '43,  '61. 


148 


History  of  Surry 


Seth  Carpenter— 1839,  '40,  '42. 

John  S.  Britton— 1841. 

Benjamin  Carpenter— 1844,  '45,  '46,  '47,  '48,  '49,  '50,  '51. 

Elisha  Shelly— 1852,  '53,  '54. 

Benjamin  W.  Carpenter— 1855,  '56,  '62. 

Probably  no  one  chosen  after  1862. 

Until  about  1819  Phinehas  Allen  was  usually  chosen  "to  sweep  and  care  for 
the  meeting  house,"  after  which  Widow  Rachel  Allen  assumed  the  responsi- 
bility for  a  few  years  for  which  she  received  $4.50  per  year.  In  1832  Amos 
Streeter  was  the  caretaker  and  John  Wheelock  in  1833  for  which  he  received 
^1.45  for  his  services. 

POSTMASTERS   AND   OFFICES  IN   TOWN 

Not  having  access  to  the  government  records  our  list  of  postmasters  is 
subject  to  errors,  yet  we  feel  it  is  fairly  complete.  The  offices  are  even  more 
uncomplete.  The  following  records  are  from  Keene  Sentinel,  New  Hamp- 
shire Register  and  tradition. 

About  March  1,  1821,  Judge  Elijah  Knight  was  appointed  the  first  post- 
master and  his  dwelling  house.  No.  135,  served  as  a  post-office.  Prior  to 
that  time  letters  were  sent  to  the  Keene  post-office,  and  if  not  called  for, 
wei"e  advertised  in  the  Sentinel. 


Postmaster. 

Post-office. 

Date. 

Judge  Elijah  Knight, 

No.  135. 

Mar. 

1821 

to 

about  1832. 

Capt.  Thomas  Humphrey, 

"       68. 

1832 

then  Mrs.  H.  un 

til 

1838. 

Capt.  Eliphalet  Dort, 

"       98? 

1838 

to 

1839. 

Charles  Johnson, 

"       68? 

1840 

1842. 

John  Johnson, 

"       68? 

1843 

1846. 

Arvin   Britton, 

"       47. 

1847 

1850. 

Jonathan  Harvey,  Jr., 

"       73. 

1851 

1853. 

Capt.  Almond  Stevens, 

"       47. 

1854 

1858. 

Warren  Carpenter, 

"       55.' 

1859 

1862. 

Dr.  William  H.  Porter, 

"       70. 

1863 

1868. 

Marshall  B.  Britton, 

"       47. 

1869 

1872. 

Edwin  A.  Kenyon, 

"       47  &  58. 

1872 

1873. 

Marshall  B.  Britton, 

"       58. 

1873 

1874. 

Edwin  A.  Kenyon, 

"       58. 

1875 

1877. 

Dr.  William  H.  Porter, 

"       70. 

1878 

1883. 

Wesley  F.  Wilbur, 

"       46. 

Feb.  14, 

1883 

1884. 

Dr.  William  H.  Porter, 

"       70. 

1885 

1886. 

Wesley  F.  Wilbur, 

"       46. 

1887 

1892. 

Luman   M.   Carpenter, 

"       46. 

1893 

1901. 

Mary  Ethel  Britton, 

"       43. 

1901 

" 

Jan.  16,  1832,  Henry  Estey  appears  to  have  taken  the  oath,  as  postmaster 
of  Surry.  This  was  the  day  Capt.  Humphrey  died.  Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr., 
is  said  to  have  served  as  postmaster  for  a  few  months. — Family  trad. 


Town  Topics 


149 


JUSTICE   OF  THE   PEACE 

No  complete  list  of  those  holding  this  office  is  at  hand,  nor  is  the  time  of 
service  in  most  cases  known.  Several  held  the  office  for  many  years,  and  in 
only  a  general  way  should  the  date  be  considered. 


Obadiah  Wilcox,  before  1780. 

Lemuel  Holmes,  before  1785. 

John  McCurdy,  1793. 

Jonathan   Robinson,   Sr.  1801. 

Asa  Wilcox,  app'd  Dec.  1808. 

Samuel  Hills,  app'd  Jan.  1811. 
David  Shaw,  app'd  Sept.  1815. 
Francis   Holbrook,  1827. 

Sylvester   Smith,  1828. 

Jonathan   Robinson,  Jr.,  1833. 

Benjamin  Carpenter,  Jr.,  1833. 
Samuel  Robinson,  1833. 

Mason  A.  Carpenter,  1895. 


Samuel    (Seward,  Jr. 
Elijah  Knight,  before 
Eliphalet  Dort, 
Nathan  D.  Reed, 
George  W.  Holbrook, 
Joseph  Allen, 
George  K.  Harvey, 
William   H.   Porter, 
Horace  Wilcox, 
George  C.  Hubbard, 
John  H.  Rogers, 
i^ermon  O.  Streeter, 
Hiram  F.  Newell, 


0 


Four  men  in  town  held  the  office  in   1834-35,  and  five  in   1857-58. 
Shaw  was  Deputy  Sheriff,  1816-21  and  George  W.  Holbrook,  in  1866. 


1824. 
1830. 
1837. 
1849. 
1857. 
1857. 
1857. 
1858. 
1861. 
1865. 
1886. 
1886. 
1920. 

David 


TOWN  TOPICS 


A  BELATED  TOWN  MEETING 


During  the  early  history  of  Surry  the  annual  town  meeting  took  place  on 
the  last  Tuesday  in  March.  This  was  inconvenient,  owing  to  its  lateness  in 
the  spring,  for  the  town  officers  to  transact  the  town  business.  Finally,  on 
March  4,  1784,  it  was  voted  to  petition  the  General  Court  for  a  right  to  hold 
"our  annual  town  meeting  earlier  in  the  month  of  March."  An  act  passed  in 
General  Assembly,  April  13,  1784,  states:  "The  Annual  Town  Meeting  in 
Surry  in  the  future  shall  be  held  on  the  first  Monday  in  March." 

This  act  changing  the  meeting  from  a  Tuesday  to  a  Monday  was  the  cause 
of  confusion  in  the  annual  March  meeting  in  1788,  which  was  called  in  the 
warrant,  to  be  held  on  "Tuesday  March  4th  1788"  instead  of  Monday  March 
3rd,  thus  making  the  meeting  one  day  late. 

Capt.  Thomas  Harvey  and  William  Barron  were  selectmen  and  posted  the 
warrant.  Lemuel  Holmes  was  town  clerk  and  Levi  Fuller,  constable  that 
year,  yet  none  of  these  men  discovered  the  error  in  the  date  until  too  late. 

The  town  held  the  meeting  according  to  the  warrant  and  transacted  the 
usual  amount  of  business.  They  also  voted  to  send  a  petition  to  the  state 
legislature  imploring  the  court  to  pass  an  act  making  the  transactions  of  this 
meeting  legal. 


150  History  of  Surry 

At  the  June  session  the  state  passed  the  following  act: 

"STATE  OF  NEW  HAMPSHIRE. 

In  the  year  of  our  Lord,  One  Thousand,  Seven  Hundred  and 
Eighty-Eight. 

"An  Act  to  make  valid  the  proceedings  of  a  Town  Meeting 
L.  S.       holden  in  Surry  in  the  County  of  Cheshire  on  Tuesday  the 
fourth  day  of  March  last,  which  by  law  should  have  been 
holden  on  Monday  the  third  day  of  March  aforesaid. 

"Whereas  a  petition  has  been  presented  to  this  Court  showing  that 
the  annual  town  meeting  in  the  Town  of  Surry  aforesaid,  was  by  mis- 
take notified  and  holden  in  said  town  on  Tuesday  the  fourth  day  of 
March  last,  which  by  law  should  have  been  holden  on  Monday  the  third 
of  March  aforesaid,  and  the  prayer  thereof  was,  that  the  same  might  be 
made  valid — which  prayer  appearing  reasonable, — 

Therefore  be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  the  House  of  Representa- 
tive in  General  Court  convened,  that  the  said  meeting  and  all  and  every 
of  the  votes  and  transactions  of  the  same  be  and  hereby  are  established 
and  rendered  valid,  to  all  intents  and  purposes  as  tho  the  said  meeting 
had  been  held  on  Monday  the  day  appointed  by  law  for  holding  the 
same. 

June  12,  1788.  In  the  House  of  Representative. 

Thos.  Bartlett,  Speaker. 
In  the  Senate  the  13th  of  June  1788. 

John  Langdon,  President." 

The  town  records  do  not  state  all  that  was  said  and  done  during  the  annual 
town  meeting  in  1788.  There  is,  however,  reason  to  suspect  the  voters  were 
inclined  to  retaliate  in  consequence  of  the  "late  town  meeting"  as  they  elected 
a  new  set  of  town  officers  that  year — two  constables  and  five  selectmen — the 
first  and  only  time  in  the  whole  history  of  the  town  when  so  many  selectmen 
were  elected. 

WARNING  OUT  OF  TOWN 

It  was  a  common  custom  in  the  early  days  in  many  towns  "to  warn  out  of 
town"  any  people  who  moved  in  and  owned  no  real  estate,  for  fear  they  might 
later  become  a  "town  charge."  In  many  instances  those  people  soon  after  left 
town,  but  some  remained  and  became  useful  and  respected  citizens  in  their 
adopted  town.  Moreover,  no  one  need  feel  embarrassed  if  they  should  find 
some  remote  ancestor  who  received  a  "warning."  If  many  more  had  only 
received  warnings,  this  history  would  have  been  far  more  complete.  The  fol- 
lowing is  from  the  town  records : 

Warrant  to  warn  people  out  of  town: 

Cheshire  s.  s.  To  Daniel  Smith 

State  of  New  Hampshire  Constable  of  the  Town 

Oct.  18,  1794.  of   Surry  in  sd   County. 


Town  Topics  151 

Whereas  Jeptha  Daws  &  Marah  his  wife,  and  Seth  Daws;  William 
Hartwell  &  Polly  his  wife,  and  Lucy  Hartwell;  Samuel  Shipman  & 
Unice  (Eunice)  his  wife,  and  Chloe  Shipman  &  Ebenezer  Shipman  their 
children;  Timothy  Pierce  and  his  wife,  Hannah  Pierce,  William  Pierce 
&  Phebe  Pierce  their  children;  Lucy  Marvin,  Isabel  Marvin  and  Tilly 
Marvin;  Charles  Rice  &  Miriam  Rice  his  wife,  Susanna  Rice  and 
Charles  Rice,  Jr.  their  children;  Jeremiah  Ingraham  &  Zilpha  Igra- 
ham  his  wife,  and  Mary  Corless  have  come  into  the  town  of  Surry  to 
reside  and  their  circumstances  are  such  that  some  or  all  of  them  may 
become  Chargeable  to  said  town  of  Surry  hereafter  and  we  the  Select- 
men after  mutual  consideration .  Look  upon  it  for  the  safety  of  said 
town  to  Warn  all  the  above  named  persons  to  depart  the  same  imme- 
diately to  the  towns  from  whence  they  came.  There  are  therefore  in 
the  name  of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire  to  require  you  the  said  Con- 
stable of  Surry  immediately  to  warn  each  one  of  them  to  depart  the  said 
town  of  Surry  to  the  towns  from  whence  they  come  from. 

Hereof  fail  not  and  make  returns  of  this  warrant  with  your  doings 
thereon  to  Thomas  Sparhawk,  Esq.  Clerk  for  said  County,  as  you  will 
answer  your  neglect  at  your  peril. 

Given  under  our  hand  and  seal  this  18th  day  of  October  A.  D.  1794. 

Lemuel   Holmes       "i 

Jono  Carpenter        j^        Selectmen  of  Surry. 

Samuel  Hills  ! 

At  least  one  of  the  above  men  continued  to  reside  in  town,  Jeremiah  Ingra- 
ham, who  appears  to  have  been  a  doctor  and  on  May  1,  1797,  he  presented  a 
bill  of  expense  to  the  town  "for  doctoring  Nancy  Robb." 

Samuel  Smith,  Constable  of  Surry  on  March  16,  1784  "warned"  the  follow- 
ing persons  to  immediately  depart  out  of  the  town: 

Amaziah  Spencer  &  Eleanor  his  wife,  and  Daniel  Spencer  their  son; 
Calvin  Bates  and  Mehitable  Hilyard.  Also,  James  Reed,  Mary  Reed 
and  Thomas  Townsend,  all  transient  persons  now  in  town — Dec.  3,  1784. 

HOW  A  BOY  WAS  BOUND  OUT  IN  1789. 

This  Indenture  Made  this  Second  Day  of  March  and  In  the  thirteenth 
year  of  the  Independence  of  America,  Anno  domini  one  Thousand  Seven 
Hundred  and  Eighty  Nine. 

Between  Zebulon  Streeter  and  Jonathan  Carpenter  Selectmen  of 
Surry  in  the  County  of  Cheshire  and  State  of  New  Hampshire  on  the 
one  part  and  Nathan  Hayward  of  Surry  in  the  County  and  State  Afore- 
said of  the  other  part;  witnesseth  that  the  Selectmen  by  the  Licence  of 
two  of  the  Justices  of  this  State  of  New  Hampshire  and  County  of 
Cheshire  whose  names  are  hereunto  Written  According  to  the  Laws  of 
this  State  in  that  Case  made  and  provided  have  put  placed,  and  Bound 
and  by  these  presents  do  place  and  Bind  John  Parmiter  a  poore  Boy 
of  Sd  Surry  whoo  is  both  Father  and  mother  less  So  that  it  was  neces- 
sary and  our  Oaths  Oblige  us  to  take  notise  of  the  Complaint  of  the 
Said  Boy  to  us  the  Selectmen  of  Surry  and  wee  the  Selectmen  by  these 


152  History  of  Surry 

do  bind  him  as  aforesaid  to  be  an  Apprentice  with  him,  the  Said  Nathan 
Hayward,  and  as  such  to  serve  him  the  said  Nathan  Hayward  and  his 
wife  Sarah  Hayward  untill  the  said  John  Permitter  Shall  Come  to  the 
age  of  twenty  one  years  which  will  be  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  one  thou- 
sand Seven  Hundred  and  Ninety  four  which  time  the  Apprentisship; 
his  said  master  and  mistress  shall  faithfully  and  diligently  serve  their 
Lawfull  Commands  all  times  according  to  his  utmost  ability  carefully 
and  diligently  obey;  he  shall  not  Commit  fornification  nor  contract 
matrimony  or  at  any  time  absent  himself  from  his  Said  masters  ser- 
vice without  his  consent  and  Shall  not  waste  or  Imbzzle  his  masters 
goods  nor  wittingly  nor  willingly  do  anything  whereby  his  master  may 
be  damaged  but  in  all  things  behave  himself  as  a  good  and  faithfull  ap- 
prentice ought  to  do  during  the  aforesaid  term;  and  the  aforesaid  Na- 
than Hayward  on  his  part  for  himself  his  Heirs  Executors  and  Admin- 
istrators doth  hereby  promise  and  covenant  to  and  with  the  said  Select- 
men and  every  of  them  theirs  and  Every  of  theirs  Executors  and  Ad- 
ministrators and  theirs  and  of  every  of  their  Successors  for  the  time  be- 
ing that  the  said  Nathan  Hayward  shall  find  for  and  allow  unto  the 
said  apprentice  sufficient  met  drink  apparel  washing  Lodging  and  and 
Other  things  necessary  and  meet  for  an  apprentice  durin  the  afore 
term  and  Shall  also  teach  and  Learn  to  Read  and  write  well  and  also 
Teach  and  Learn  or  Cause  to  be  taught  and  Lernt:  If  he  be  capable 
of  Learning  the  five  Common  fundimental  Rules  of  arithmetick  (viz) 
Numeration,  Addition  and  Subtraction,  Multiplacation  and  Divition; 
and  at  the  expiration  of  the  term  of  said  apprenticeship  Will  give  to 
the  said  Apprentice  Two  good  suite  of  Aparel  One  suitable  for  working 
days  and  one  suitable  for  Sabath  days  and  other  Publick  Days  and 
Shall  also  pay  and  deliver  unto  the  said  Apprentice  Six  pounds  LaAvfull 
moneys  worth  of  neat  Cattle  at  the  apprisal  of  Indifferent  men. 

In  witness  whereof  wee  the  Said  parties  have  here  unto  Set  our 
hands  and  Seals  the  day  and  year  above  Written — 

Signed  Sealed  and  Delivered 

In  presents  of 

Zebulon  Streeter,  Lemuel  Holmes, 

Jonathan  Carpenter  John  Brockway 

Nathan  Hayward. 

Lemuel   Holmes,  Justice  peace. 

Thos  Baker,  Justice  peace. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  this  boy  ran  away  from  his  master  in  less 
than  three  months  after  this  long  and  binding  contract  had  been  signed — viz. 
on  May  25,  1789. 

LEONARD  RUSSELL  BOUND  OUT 

This  Indenture  Made  this  Thirty  first  day  of  January  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  one  thoufand  Seven  Hundred  and  ninety  eight,  between  Leon- 
ard Rufsell  (son  of  Wm.  Russell),  of  Fryeburg  in  the  county  of  York 
and  commonwealth   of   Mafsachufetts    (now   Maine)    Gentleman   on   the 


Town  Topics  153 

one  Part,  And  Robert  Lane  Hurd  of  Gilfum  in  the  county  of  Chefhire 
and  State  of  New  Hampshire  gentleman  on  the  other  part.  Wetnefseth, 
that  the  Said  Leonard  Rufseli  by  and  with  the  confent  of  the  said  Wil- 
liam Rufsell  his  said  Father  hath  let  and  committed  himself  an  appren- 
tife  unto  the  said  Robert  Lane  Hurd  to  learn  his  trade  and  Myftery  of 
a  Cordwainer  and  Bootmaker,  to  serve  from  Day  of  the  date  hereof  for 
and  during  the  Term  of  six  years  the  date  aforesaid  Next  ensuing  and 
to  be  compleat  and  ended.  During  all  which  Term  the  said  apprentice, 
his  said  Master  shall  faithfully  serve,  his  Secrets  keep;  his  lawful!  com- 
mands gladly  everywhere  obey,  at  Cards,  dice  or  any  other  unlawful 
game  he  shall  not  play,  he  shall  not  abfent  himself  from  his  said  Maf- 
ters  Service  by  day  or  by  night  without  his  leave,  he  shall  not  haunt  Ale 
houfes  or  taverns,  he  shall  not  commit  Fornication  or  contract  Matri- 
mony during  said  Term  but  in  all  things  behave  himself  as  a  good  and 
faithfull  apprentice. 

And  the  said  Robert  Lane  Hurd  Doth  hereby  covenant  and  agree  to 
Learn  the  said  Apprentice  the  Art  trade  and  Myftery  of  a  Cordwainer 
and  Bootmaker  by  the  best  means  he  may  or  Can  if  the  said  Apprentice 
be  able  to  learn,  and  to  learn  him  to  read  write  and  Cypher  sufficiently 
for  Such  an  apprentice  and  to  find  him  with  good  Boarding,  bedding, 
Cloathing  and  wafhing  during  said  Term,  and  Doctring  and  Nurfing  in 
cafe  of  sicknefs,  and  at  the  end  of  said  Term  to  give  unto  the  said  ap- 
prentice two  good  New  suits  of  Cloathing  one  for  every  day,  and  the 
other  Suitable  for  Holy  day  and  two  Shirts  Suitable  for  every  day  and 
one  good  fine  shirt  suitable  for  Publick  days  with  Stockings  and  Shoes 
suitable  for  such  an  apprentice.  And  to  give  him  a  pair  of  oxen  not 
to  exceed  eight  years  old  well  Built  and  proportioned  to  meafure  in  the 
ufual  place  of  girt  six  feet.  Int  witnefs  whereof  the  parties  have  here- 
unto interchangeably  set  their  hands  and  Seals  the  day  and  year  above 
mentioned. 

Signed,  Sealed  and  delivered  Robert  Lane  Hurd, 

in  the  presence  of  us, 
Rhoda  Hayward, 
Seneh  Hayward. 

(Robert  L.  Hurd  lived  many  years  in  Gilsum  and  finally  moved  to  the  West 
where  he  died). 

THE  BETSEY  PULSIFER  CASE 
In  all  the  annals  of  the  poor  and  needy  of  this  town  probably  no  case  is 
more  woi'thy  of  sympathy  than  that  of  Mrs.  Gerish  Pulsifer  and  her  six  chil- 
dren who  came  into  Surry  in  June  1813.  She  later  was  taken  ill  with  the 
spotted  fever  and  was  obliged  to  apply  to  the  Selectmen  for  assistance,  and 
they  in  tui*h  applied  to  the  town  of  Acwoi'th,  where  she  formerly  lived,  for 
her  support  and  maintenance,  as  the  following  will  appear: 

"Surry,  Dec.  22d  1813 

To  the  Selectmen  of  the  town  of  Acworth 
GentleiTien — 
"We  hei-eby  inform  you  that  the  family  of  Garish   Pulsifer  whom  we 


154  History  of  Surry 

are  informed  have  a  legal  settlement  in  said  Acworth  are  maintained 
at  the  expense  of  this  town;  that  his  wife  is  sick  and  under  the  care  of 
A  Physician  and  like  to  be  very  expensive  and  that  they  are  under  ex- 
tremely indigent  circumstances.  We  therefore  hope  you  will  immedi- 
ately acquaint  us  with  your  pleasure  in  this  matter  and  very  much 
oblige, 

Gentlemen  your  hum.  Servants 

Samuel  Hills 


Eli  Dort  I.  Selectmen  of  Surry." 

Levi  Hancock         J 

"Acworth,  N.  H.,  December  30th  1813, 

To  the  Selectmen  of  the  town  of  Surry,  N.  H. 

Gentlemen ; 

"Agreeable  to  your  request  by  a  Letter  dated  December  22nd  1813  Re- 
specting Garish  Pulifers  family,  we  would  inform  you  that  the  said 
Pulsifer  never  gained  a  legal  Settlement  in  this  town.  We  are  with 
esteem, 

Gentlemen,  your  Humble  Servants, 

Levi   Hayward        "1        Selectmen  of 
Gawin  Gilmore        J  Acworth." 

Mrs.  Pulsifer  appeared  before  Samuel  Hills,  justice  of  the  peace  of  Surry, 
early  in  March  1814,  and  under  oath  made  the  following  statement  which 
has  been  found  among  the  town  paers : 

"Affidavit  of  Betty  Pulsifer: 

"I  Betty  Pulsifer  of  lawful  age  testify  and  say  that  on  the  last  friday 
in  February  (28,)  in  the  year  1794  Simon  Ingals,  my  father-in-law  who 
married  my  Mother,  with  his  family  &  myself  &  others  moved  into  Ac- 
worth  from  Andover  in  Massachusetts — I  being  sixteen  years  old  the 
28  day  of  said  Feb. — I  further  testify  that  within  a  few  days  after  our 
arrival  at  said  Acworth  I  went  to  live  with  Col.  John  Dunkin  (Duncan) 
of  said  Acworth  and  never  lived  with  my  said  father  in  law  afterward. 
I  further  say  that  I  lived  in  said  Acworth  from  the  said  friday  in  1794 
untill  the  28th  day  of  Feb.  1797  when  I  was  lawfully  Married  to  Garish 
Pulsifer — I  being  nineteen  years  of  age  that  day — who  came  to  said  Ac- 
worth  in  the  month  of  June  in  the  year  1796,  that  we  lived  in  said  Ac- 
worth  untill  June  1799  when  we  moved  into  Alstead  where  we  lived  un- 
till August  1802  when  we  removed  into  Langdon  where  we  lived  untill 
March  1803,  from  where  we  then  returned  to  said  Acworth  where  we 
lived  from  the  afore  said  March  1803  untill  September  1807  in  which 
Month  we  moved  from  the  Afore  said  Acworth  in  New  Hampshire  into 
the  State  of  Vermont  and  there  lived  untill  I  with  my  children — six  in 
number — my  husband  being  in  the  army — came  into  Surry  in  the 
month  of  June,  1813 — where  I  maintained  myself  &  Children  untill  I 
was  taken  sick  at  the  hous  of  Widow  Lydia  Macks  in  the  Month  of  Dec. 


Town  Topics  155 

last — I  then  being  very  sick  and  having  no  means  of  support  whatever, 
either  for  my  self  or  children,  applied  and  obtained  assistance  of  the 
town  of  Surry,  both  for  myself  and  children,  one  of  whom  being  also 
very  sick  (and  died)  with  a  fever — I  further  testify  that  during  all  the 
term  in  which  I  lived  in  Acworth  aforesaid  I  was  not  warned  out — 

BETTY  PULSIFER." 

"Cheshire  Ss  f       March  7th  1814  These  the  within  named  Betty  Pul- 

j        sifer   made   Solemn   Oath   that  the   foregoing   affa- 
davit  by  her  subscribed  is  just  and  true — 

before  me  Samuel  Hills  Justice  peace." 

The  following  notice  was  received  from  the  Clerk  of  the  Court  of  Common 
Pleas  at  Keene: 

"Cheshire  Ss  Circuit  Court 
of  Common  Pleas 

"Thereby  certify  that  Betsey  Fish  was  warned  out  of  the  town  of 
Acworth,  as  appears  by  a  warrant  on  file,  dated,  January  26,  1795 — 
Served  March  2d  1795,  and  Received  at  the  Clerks  Office  March  11th 
1795— 

S.  Hale,     Clerk." 

Not  long  after  the  selectmen  of   Surry  had  obtained  the  foregoing  testi- 
mony, they  sent  the  following  notice  to  Acworth: 

"Surry,  N.  H.  April  23d  1814 
To  the  Selectmen  of  the  Town  of  Acworth, 

Gentlemen — 

We  hereby  inform  you  that  we  have  ascertained  that  Betsy  Fish, 
now  Betsy  Pulsifer  came  to  live  in  said  Acworth  in  the  Month  of  Feb- 
ruary 1794  and  by  a  certificate  of  the  Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court  of 
Common  Pleas,  we  find  that  she  was  warned  of  said  Acworth  by  a  war- 
rant on  file  dated  January  26th  1795;  Served  March  2d  1795  and  reed  at 
said  Clerks  office  March  11,  1795 — Therefore  Gentlemen  you  undoubt- 
edly are  sencable,  that  as  the  warrant  was  not  served  and  returned 
within  a  year  according  to  law,  is  of  no  consequence  and  that  said  Betsy 
now  has  a  legal  settlement  in  Acworth  to  which  you  will  please  attend 
and  much  oblige, 

Gent'  your  Humble  Servants — 

Samuel  Hills  "i 

Eli  Dort  j.  Selectmen  of  Surry." 

Jonas  Pollard        J 

In  1815  Mrs.  Betsey  Ingals  the  mother  of  Betsey  Pulsifer  made  the  fol- 
lowing statement  to  which  she  and  a  witness  placed  their  signatures : 

"I  Betsey  Ingals  of  lawful  age  testify  and  say  that  Simeon  Ingals  my 
Husband,  myself,  my  daughter  Betsey  Fish,  now  Betsey  Pulsifer  and 
others  of  my   Family  moved  into  Acworth  in  the   State  of   Newhamp- 


156  History  of  Surry 

shire  about  the  20th  of  February  1794,  that  we  moved  into  a  House  near 
Mr.  Mitchell's  mills  where  we  lived  about  a  month,  we  then  moved  into 
Mr.  Perkin's  House  about  a  mile  and  a  half  distant  on  the  next  morn- 
ing after  John  Mitchel's  fix'st  child  was  born — 
Alstead,  February  10,  1815, 

Rhoda  Ingals.  Her 

Betsey     X     Ingals 
Mark." 

As  will  be  seen  the  town  was  at  some  considerable  expense,  for  those  times, 
on  account  of  this  family.  Dr.  Thomas  D.  Brooks'  account  for  attending  Mrs. 
Pulsifer  and  family  from  Dec.  16,  1813  until  Jan.  13,  1814  and  "For  keeping 
the  little  girl  one  week,"  amounting  to  $33.59. 

Jeremiah  Robbins'  account  for  providing  for  the  support  of  Mrs.  Betsey 
Pulsifer  and  four  of  her  children,  from  Dec.  18,  1813,  until  March  12,  1814, 
was  $93.72  which  bill  also  included;  Brandy,  one  bushel  of  rye,  two  quarts 
ginn,  one  gallon  cider  brandy,  two  quarts  W.  I.  Rum,  furniture  clothing,  etc. 

Mr.  Robbins'  account  to  the  town  of  Surry  for  the  support  of  Mrs.  Betsey 
Pulsifer,  Lucinda  Pulsifer,  John  Pulsifer  and  Jonathan  Pulsifer,  and  for 
clothing,  etc.,  between  April  1,  1814  and  Feb.  14,  1815  amounted  to  |77.83 — 
making  a  total  expenditure  to  the  town  of  at  least,  |205.14. 

From  the  following,  it  appears  the  town  of  Surry  and  the  town  of  Acworth 
were  later  involved  in  a  lawsuit  over  the  expense  of  Mrs.  Pulsifer  and  family: 

"State  of  New  Hamp-  To  Betsey  Pulsifer,  David  Fish, 

shire — Cheshire  S  s  Betsey  Ingals —  Greeting: — 

"You  are  hereby  required  in  the  name  of  the  State  aforesaid  to  ap- 
pear at  the  Circuit  Court  of  Common  pleas  to  be  holden  in  Keene  in 
said  County  on  the  third  Tuesday  of  March  next  to  testify  what  you 
know  relative  to  a  case  then  and  there  to  be  heard  and  tried  betwixt  the 

town  of  Surry  as  plaintiff  and  the  town  of  Acworth  as  defendant 

"Hereof  fail  not  as  you  will  answer  your  default  under  the  pains  and 

penaltis  of  the  law  in  that  behalf  made  and  provid' 

Dated  at  Surry  the  fifteenth  day  of  February  Ad  1815 

Saml  Hills  Justice  peace." 

THE    SLAVERY   QUESTION 

Surry,  Dec.  6,  1819. 
"To  the  Selectmen  o'f  the  Town  of  Surry: 

Gentlemen: — We,  the  undersign   inhabitants  of  the  tewn   of   Surry, 
request  that  a  meeting  be  called  to  transact  the  following  business : 

1st.      To  choose  a  Moderator  to  govern  said  meeting. 

2nd.  To  see  if  the  town  will  choose  delegates  to  meet  delegates  from  other 
towns  in  the  County  of  Cheshire  at  the  Court  House  in  Keene  on 
Tuesday,  the  21st  instant,  for  the  purpose  of  expi'essing  the  sense 
of  the  County  with  respect  to  the  toleration  of  slavery  in  the  con- 


Town  Topics  157 

templated  state  of  Missouri,  or  in   any  other   state  hereafter  to  be 
admitted  into  the  Union. 

Samuel  Allen  Peter  Joslin 

Pei-ley   Howe  Cyrus  Field 

Samuel  Robinson  Obadiah  Redding 

Jonathan  Robinson  Levi  Fuller 

Elijah  Fuller  Theadore  Monroe." 

Dec.  15th,  1819,  the  meeting  opened  according  to  the  Warrant: 

1st.      Chose  Rev.  Perley  Howe  Moderator. 

Ind.     Voted  to  send  delegates  to  Keene. 

3rd  Chose  Rev.  Perley  Howe,  Jonathan  Robinson  Esq.,  and  Dr.  Philip 
Monroe  as  delegates  to  meet  other  delegates  of  the  County  at  Keene 
on  Tuesday  the  21st  instant." 

An  Inventory  of  Scales,  Beams,  Weights  and  Measures, 
The  property  of  the  town  of  Surry  in  1822. 


One  Scale  beam 

Dry  Measure. 

'     Fifty-six  pound  weight 

One  Half  bushel 

'     Twenty  eight  "        " 

"     Peck 

'     Fourteen 

"     Half  Peck 

"     Seven         -       " 

"     Two  Quart 

'     Small  scale  beam 

"     One  Quart 

'     Four  pound  weight 

Liquor  Measure. 

'     Two 

'     One 

One  Gallon  measure,  copper 

'     Half 

"     Two  Quart,  pewter 

'     Quarter  " 

"     One 

'     Two  Oz. 

"     One  Pint             " 

'     One     " 

"     Half     " 

"     Half    " 

"     Gill 

One  hopper  and  two  seals. 

Received  the  above  articles  of  the  town  of  Surry, 

Mar.  13,  1822, Eliphalet  Dort. 

Bounties  paid  by  the  State  during  1832-33. 

1832,  Sept.  22,  To  Benjamin  M.  Britton  for  one  red  fox  .25 
"  Nov.  5,  "  John  S.  Britton  "  "  "  "  .25 
"       Dec.  17,     "    Danien  Allen                   "  three  "       "  .75 

1833,  Jan.  28,  "  Daniel  R.  Emerson  "  one  "  "  .25 
"       Feb.  22,     "    Jonathan   Robbins          "      "       "       "  .25 


$1.75 


About  1852  William  Kingsbui'y  was  paid  for  killing 

one  Canadian  Lynx (amount  unknown) 

(The  animal  was  killed  on  top  of  Surry  mountain) 


158  History  of  Surry 

THE  TEMPERANCE   QUESTION 

The  following  paper  has  been  found;  sent  out  in  1837  to  New  Hampshire 
towns,  requesting  a  reply  to  each  question : 

"To  the  President  of  the  Temperance  Society  of  Surry  in  the  County 
of  Cheshire,  N.  H. 

"Sir: — At  a  convention  of  the  Temperance  Societies,  in  the  towns  of 
Wakefield,  Effingham,  Tamworth,  and  Ossipee,  holden  at  Osssipee,  on 
the  24th  of  October  1837,  the  following  qquestions  were  prepared;  and 
you  are  desired  to  insert  correct  answers  to  the  same,  and  the  name  of 
your  town  in  the  first  question, — obtain  if  convenient,  signatures  of  a 
majority  of  your  selectment  thereto,  and  forward  the  same  to  James 
Wilson,  Jr.  Esq.  of  Keene,  Titus  Brown,  Esq.  of  Francistown,  or  John 
Scammon,  Esq.  of  Stratham,  as  soon  as  convenient,  and  free  the  ex- 
pense to  them. 
Alvah  H.  Sawyer,  Secretary.  Josiah  H.  Hobbs,  Chairman. 

1  What  sum  was  expended  in  the  town  of  SURRY  for  the  support  of 

paupers,  during  the  year  1837?     Answer — $140.00. 

2  What    proportion    of   that    amount    resulted    directly,    or    indirectly, 

from  intemperance?     Answer — Not  any. 

3  What  were  the  number  of  paupers  in  said  town,  at  the  time  said 

accounts  were  made  up?     Answer — Three  persons. 

4  How  many  of  that  number  were  rendered  paupers,  either  directly 

or  indirectly,  by  intemperance?     Answer — Not  any. 

5  What  number  of  gallons  of  ardent  spirits,  were  sold  in  your  town, 

during  the  year  ending  Oct.  1st,  1837?     Answer — Not  known. 

6  What,  at  that  time,  were  the  number  of  stores  and  taverns?     An- 

swer— Five  taverns,  and  no  store. 

7  What,  at  that  time,  were  the  number  of  stores  and  taverns,  at  which 

ardent  spirits  were  sold?     Answer — All  five. 

8  What  number  of  deaths   have   occurred   in  said  town,  from   intem- 

perance, during  two  years,  prior  to  Oct.   1,  1837?     Answer — Not 
any. 

9  Is  the  cause  of  temperance,  advancing,  stationary,  or  retrograde,  in 

said  town?     Answer — Advancing. 

THE  VILLAGE  WATER  SYSTEM 

October  13,  1823,  David  Carpenter  who  owned  and  lived  on  the  late  Lewis 
F.  Blake  farm  (No.  35  map)  sold  a  spring  right  on  his  farm  about  120  rods 
westerly  of  his  buildings — for  §20.00.  Only  four  men  formerly  were  inter- 
ested in  the  company.  Enoch  Whitcomb,  who  lived  on  the  present  Edward 
H.  Wright  farm,  purchased  1/4  right.  Otis  Daggett,  who  lived  where  George 
B.  Britton  now  lives,  purchased  1/4  right.  John  May  lived  in  the  present 
parsonage  had  1/6  right  and  Samuel  Robinson  who  lived  at  the  village  hotel 


Town  Topics  159 

had  1/3  right.     This  spring  now  supplies  water  at  the  following  places — see 
map— Nos.  38,  39,  40,  41,  43,  44,  45,  46,  48,  49,  52,  54  and  59;— 13  families. 

THE  OLD  BEAVER  DAM 

In  the  cove  on  the  meadow  east  of  the  highway  near  the  top  of  "Sand  hill," 
and  south  of  Surry  picnic  grove,  there  was  formerly  an  old  beaver  dam. 
George  Crehore,  while  ditching  this  land  about  1855,  found  buried  in  the 
muck  old  logs  as  sound  as  when  placed  there  by  the  beavers  many  years 
earlier  and  still  retaining  their  teeth  marks.  Beaver  brook  runs  through  this 
meadow. 

MARKING  OF   STOCK 

It  was  a  common  custom  around  1800,  for  each  man  to  mark  his  sheep  and 
cattle,  and  have  the  town  clerk  make  record  of  the  same  on  the  town  books. 
The  following  have  been  taken : 

July  13,  1795,  Abner  Hayward  had  for  his  mark,  a  hole  in  the  right  ear 
and  a  square  crop  off  the  same.  Jonathan  Robinson  had  a  half  crop  on 
the  under  side  of  the  right  ear.  Charles  Carpenter  had  a  hole  in  both 
ears. 

Feb.  22,  1796,  Daniel  Streeter  had  for  his  mark,  a  hole  in  both  ears 
and  a  slit  in  the  end  of  the  right  ear.  Apr.  18,  1796  John  McCurdy  had 
for  his  sheep,  half  crop  on  the  under  side  of  the  right  ear  and  bob 
tail  and  for  horned  cattle,  a  half  crop  on  the  under  side  of  the  right  ear. 

Feb.  23,  1797,  Sarel  Hayward  had  for  horned  cattle,  "W  H"  on  the 
horn,  and  for  sheep  a  square  crop  off  the  left  ear. 

May  31,  1798,  Josiah  Hendee  had  a  half -penny  on  the  under  side  of  each 
ear  and  a  slot  on  the  upper  side  of  the  right  ear.  Moses  Haselton  had 
a  square  crop  off  the  right  ear  and  a  slit  in  the  end  of  the  same. 

June  8,  1798,  Abner  Skinner  had  a  half  crop  on  the  under  side  of  the 
left  ear.  June  11,  1799,  Niram  (Adoniram)  Benton  had  a  square  crop 
off  the  right  ear  and  a  swallow  tail  on  the  end  of  the  left  ear. 

May  5,  1804,  Joseph  Ingals  had  for  cattle  and  sheep,  a  square  cropp  off 
the  right  ear  and  a  slit  in  the  left  ear. 

Oct.  19,  1810,  Jeremiah  Robbins  had  for  cattle  and  sheep,  a  square  crop 
off  the  right  ear  and  a  slit  in  the  left  ear. 

Apr.  15,  1817,  William  Baxter  had  for  sheep  and  lambs,  the  letter  B 
inserted  on  their  foreheads  with  a  branding  iron. 

SURRY  FIRE  COMPANY 

A  Fire  company  was  organized  in  Surry  in  July  1911,  at  which  time  a 
small  chemical  fire  engine  was  purchased.  The  following  officers  were  elected: 
Chief,  Mason  A.  Carpenter;  captain,  Hollis  W.  Harvey;  lieutenants,  Leon  A. 
Hodgskins    George  N.  Conley,  Frank  E.  Ellis,  Stephen  H.   Clement;   assist- 


160  History  of  Surry 

ants,  Sidney  J.  Wilder,  Edward  M.  Britton,  Herbert  R.  Grain,  Archie  G. 
Wilder,  Henry  P.  Porter  and  George  B.  Conley;  sec.  and  treas.,  Frank  E. 
Ellis. 

LAWSUITS 

The  town  has  been  defendant  in  several  lawsuits:  In  1789  with  J.  Cheever 
Fowler  over  his  paying  tax  for  support  of  the  minister.  In  1811,  with  the 
town  of  Westmoreland  over  the  support  of  Widow  Sarah  Wilbur.  Darius 
Porter  of  Alstead  claimed  damage,  1883,  for  running  off  the  highway  near 
Scripture's  mill.     Another  was  the  Kellogg  case  in  1921. 


*  MISCELLANEOUS  ITEMS 

1764,  Feb.  27:  At  a  proprietors'  meeting  held  at  Jonathan  Smith's  house: 
Voted  to  dismiss  the  Art.,  "to  See  if  the  Proprietors  will  alow  any  thing 
for  work  already  done  towards  Clearing  necessary  Rodes  in  Sd  Town" 
of  Gilsum.  — P.  R. 

1764,  Oct.  16:  "Voted  that  one  warning  Set  up  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Jonathan 
Smiths  in  Sd  Town  Shall  Be  Sufficient  warning  for  the  fueter."  This 
was  at  No.  61.  —P.  R. 

1769,  Mar.  9:  By  an  Act  of  the  State  Legislature  the  town  of  SURRY  was 
incorporated.  — State  Papers. 

1769,  May  1 :  The  town  of  Surry  voted  to  build  a  Pound  in  the  most  conven- 
ient place;  accordingly  it  was  "agreed  to  Buld  one  at  the  Botum  of  the 
Hill  North  of  Mr.  Jonathan  Smiths."  However,  it  was  never  built  and 
the  matter  came  up  in  numerous  subsequent  town  meetings  for  over  50 
years,  but  so  far  as  known,  no  POUND  was  ever  actually  built. 

1771,  May  6:  Voted  that  half  of  the  Proprietors'  meetings  shall  be  held  in 
Surry  and  half  held  in  Gilsum. 

1774,  Mar.  29:     Voted  to  shut  up  swine  by  the  5th  Day  of  April  next. 

1775,  Mar.  28:     Again  voted  to  build  a  pound. 

1778,  July  14:     The  following  business  was  transacted  in  town  meeting: 

1.  Voted  to  choose  a:  moderator. 

2.  Voted  to  hire  a  candidate  to  preach. 

3.  Voted  to  re-consider  the  last  vote. 

4.  Voted  to  adjourn  until  Sept.  10th  next. 
Sept.  10:     Met  according  to  adjournment. 

1.  Chose  a  moderator. 

2.  Voted  to  dissolve  said  meeting. 

1780:  The  usual  way  of  "Calling  a  Town  Meeting."  The  Town  Clerk  noti- 
fied the  Constable  in  the  following  manner: 


*Froni    K.    S. — N.    H.    Sentinel,    or    Keene    Sentinel;    P.    R. — Proprietors    Records;    T.    R. — 
Town  Records;   Tra. — Tradition. 


Miscellaneous  Items  161 

"In  the  name  of  the  Government  and  People  of  this  State  you  are  Re- 
quired to  Notify  and  Warn  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Surry 
Qualified  by  Law  to  Vote  in  Town  meetings  to  assemble  and  meet  at 
the  meeting-  house  in  Sd  Surry  on"  etc.  This  was  followed  by  date  of 
the  meeting  the  articles  in  the  warrant,  then  closed  in  this  form: 

"Hereof  fail  not  as  you  will  answer  your  Default  at  your  Perril  and 
make  Due  Return  of  your  Doings  to  the  Selectmen  of  Sd  Surry." 

1780,  July  10:  Voted  not  to  allow  men  who  have  served  in  the  war  before 
coming  to  this  town  any  pay.  — T.  R. 

1781 :  The  town  voted  to  accept  of  the  articles  of  union  between  the  State  of 
Vermont  and  the  grants  (towns  so  voting)  on  the  east  side  of  the 
Connecticut  river.  Four  Surry  men  went  on  record  as  protesting 
against  the  action  of  the  town  in  this  matter. 

1784,  or  earlier :  Lemuel  Holmes  was  appointed  Justice  of  Peace  in  Surry. 
In  1834,  Capt.  F.  Holbrook,  Benjamin  Carpenter,  Samuel  and  Jona- 
than Robinson,  Jr.,  held  the  office. 

1786,  Mar.  6:     Voted  "that  Swine  Run  at  Large  Weel  Yoaked  and  Ringed,  ac- 

cording to  law." 

1787,  Mar.  5 :     Town  meeting  opened  in  the  meeting-house,  then  voted  to  ad- 

journ to  the  house  of  Capt.  Samuel  Smith  for  one  hour.  After  further 
town  business  it  was  voted  to  adjourn  to  the  meeting-house  where  more 
business  was  transacted,  then  voted  to  adjourn  again  to  the  house  of 
Capt.  Smith's  again.  The  town  Records  do  not  state  the  cause  of  the 
numerous  "adjournments"  in  a  single  day.  We  believe,  however,  it  was 
on  account  of  the  cold  and  unheated  condition  of  the  meeting-house, 
though  possibly  some  desired  a  mug  of  flip  from  Capt.  Smith's  bar  who 
was  an  innkeeper  at  No.  61  at  that  time.   .  — T,  R. 

1788,  Jan.:     Voted  to  petition  the  town  of  Alstead  to  annex  a  portion  of  their 

town  to  Surry.     Alstead  declined.  — T.  R. 

1789,  Mar.  2:  Voted  that  Woolston  Brockway,  Capt.  Thomas  Harvey  and 
Nathaniel  Dart  be  a  committee  to  examine  into  the  circumstances  of 
Dinah  Armstrong  being  brought  into  Surry.  This  is  the  earliest  record 
we  find  of  Old  Dinah  who  remained  in  town  until  her  death,  1812,  and 
was  supported  much  of  the  time  by  the  town.  — T.  R. 

1789,  May  25:     John  Parmenter,  an  indented  servant  boy,  age  16  years,  ran 

away  from  Nathan  Hayward. 

1790,  May  8:     John  Crane  was  Post  Rider  from  Keene,  through  Surry,  Al- 

stead and  other  towns  further  north. 

1792,  Oct. :  Voted  not  to  have  the  Small  Pox  carried  on  in  this  town  by  enoc- 
ulation.  — T.  R. 

1794 :  Voted  to  purchase  three  books  for  records  of  the  town  of  Surry.  Chose 
Jonathan  Carpenter,  Lemuel  Holmes  and  Obadiah  Willcox  a  commit- 
tee to  examine  the  old  records  and  transcribe  them  if  needed. — T.  R. 

1795,  Jan.  1:  An  act  took  effect,  having  passed  in  congress  Feb.  20,  1794, 
abolishing  the  currency  of  pounds,  shillings  and  pence  and  from  that 


11 


162  History  of  Surry 

date  accounts  were  kept  in  dollars,  dimes  and  cents,  yet  the  older  gen- 
eration clung-  to  the  old  custom  for  many  years. 

1796,  Oct.  20:     This  certifies  that  the  Selectmen  of  Surry  Gave  Ichabod  Smith 

of  Surry  the  Liberty  of  Chusing  a  Master  over  himself  to  take  care 
of  his  affairs  and  the  man  or  men  that  he  should  appoint  should  be  the 
man,  and  that  should  end  the  controversy.  And  Immediately  he  chose 
himself  and  Called  Evidence  of  it.  — T.  R. 

1797,  Nov. :  Voted  not  to  allow  the  account  of  Dr.  Hosmer  for  doctoring 
Nancy  Baley,  not  the  account  of  Dr.  Jeremiah  Ingraham  for  doctoring 
Miss  Nancy  Robb.  — T.  R. 

1798,  Apr.  9 :  Voted  to  pay  a  bounty  of  20c  on  old  crow  and  06c  on  crow 
black-birds.  — T.  R. 

1798:  About  this  time  Alanson  Carpenter  and  two  other  young  "sports"  in 
town  took  the  old  "Whipping  Post"  and  dropped  it  into  the  well  by  the 
Great  Road,  near  No.  34.  It  stood  at  the  end  of  the  Lane  east  of  No. 
35.    The  boys  soon  after  suddenly  left  town  for  a  vacation.        — Tra. 

1799,  Mar.  23:     WANTED  immediately,  a  Post-Rider  to  circulate  this  paper 

in  the  towns  of  Surry,  Alstead,  Marlow,  Washington     Stoddard,   Sul- 
livan, Packersfield,  Hancock,  Dublin,  etc,  — K.  S.  Vol.  1;  No.  1. 
1799,  Mar.  30:     The  oldest  man  cannot  recollect  such  a  winter.     Snow  since 

the  middle  of  last  November  and  the  Mail  sleigh  from  Boston  to  Wal- 
pole  has  passed  through  this  town  18  weeks  successively.  — K.  S. 

1799,  July  4 :     Rev.  Perley  Howe  delivered  an  oration  in  Surry.  — K.  S. 

1799,  Sept.  5 :     Moses  &  Zenas  Field  dissolved  partnership  this  day. 

1799,  Oct.  26:     Eldad  Skinner  &  Sylvester  Skinner  dissolved  partnership. 

1800,  Mar. :     The  following  men  were  elected  to  various  offices : 
Chose:     Zebulon  Streeter,  Sealer  of  Leather. 

Gaylord  Wilcox,  Samuel  Allen  and  Levi  Fuller    Fence  Viewers. 

Lieut.  Asa  Wilcox  and  Samuel  Allen,  Corders  of  Wood. 

John  Stiles,  Surveyor  of  Lumber. 

Moses  Field  and  James  McCurdy,  Tything  men. 

Capt.  Nathan   Hayward,  Pound  Keeper  &  his  barn  &  yard,  a 
pound. 
"  Daniel  Smith,  Sylvester  Skinner,  James  Britton  and  Paul  Clark 

Hog  Reave.     (There  seems  to  have  been  a  custom  to  choose  at 
least  one  of  the  men  to  fill  this  office,  from  those  who  had 
recently  moved  into  town,  or  a  young  stripling  of  21). 
"  School  Committee:     Asa  Holmes  in  North  District;  Philip  Mon- 

roe, Middle;  William  Barron,  South,  and  Levi  Hancock,  South- 
west. 

1801,  Mar.  26:     "Voted  to  set  up  two  poor  gii'ls  at  the  lowest  bidder  which 

are  thrown  on  the  Town  of  Surry."  The  meeting  adjourned  to  the 
house  of  Jonathan  Robinson  (the  village  hotel)  where  a  girl  of  seven 
(Sally  DeWolf^  or  Dwoolf)  was  sold  to  Hercules  Hayward  for  $16.00 
to  keep  until  she  was  18  years  of  age.     A  girl  of  five   (Polly  DeWolf) 


Miscellaneous  Items  163 

was  sold  to  Josiah  Hendee  for  $28.50  to  keep  until  she  was  18  years 
of  age.  Evidently  Mr.  Hayward  found  too  much  "Wolf-ship"  in  his 
young  boarder  as  29  weeks  later  he  requested  the  town  to  relieve  him 
of  further  obligations  and  the  town  returned  him  $8.00. 

1801,  Oct.  24:  Mrs.  Monroe  died  in  Surry,  aged  76  years.  She  left  11  chil- 
dren, 56  grand-children  and  six  great-grand-children. 

1801,  Dec.  11:     Voted  that  the  house  of  Benjamin  Carpenter,  Jr.,  be  provided 

a  place  to  have  the  Small-pox,  with  the  privilege  of  him  and  his  wife 
being  inoculated.  Also  voted  that  Mr.  Fuller's  family  can  have  the 
Small-pox  at  home. 

1802,  Jan.  2:     "About  30  persons  are  under  the  operation  of  Small  Pox  in 

Surry;  we  understand  the  disease  is  light."  — K.  S. 

1802,  Mar.  1 :     Voted  to  sell  Phebe  Crandall — a  town  pauper — to  the  lowest 

bidder  and  William  Perkins  bid  her  off  to  keep  in  sickness  and  in  health 
for  one  year  for  §19.00.  Her  sister  Polly  was  also  sold  under  same 
conditions  before  this  date  and  until  her  death. 

1803,  Jan.  25:     A  boy  named  John  Brockway  ran  away  from  Levi  Fuller,  his 

guardian;  a  reward  of  "one  cent"  is  offered  for  his  return.      — K.  S. 

1803,  The  town  voted  to  purchase  a  set  of  "Weights  and  Measures." 
1803,  Apr.  9:     Richard  Razor  a  boy  17;  "stout  build";  ran  away  from  John 
McCurdy.     For  his  return  a  reward  of  $4.00  is  offered.  — K.  S. 

1803,  Dec.  17 :     Dearborn  Emerson  ran  Mail  stage  from  Boston,  via.  Groton, 

Keene  to  Walpole  twice  each  week;  fare  from  Keene  to  Boston,  $4.50. 

1804,  For  work  on  the  highway  the  town  had  a  bill  for  "One  Gallon  of  Rum." 

1806,  Apr. :     Cushman  Smith  was  arrested  for  passing  counterfeit  money,  and 

was  released  on  bail;  absconded  and  a  reward  of  $50.00  was  offered 
for  his  apprehension. 

1807,  May  23 :     "Rapid  Travelling" — The  stage  now  leaves  Boston  three  times 

a  week  at  4  A.  M.,  and  arrives  at  Keene  at  8  P.  M.  the  same  day — 83 
miles — ;  the  next  day  it  reaches  Hanover,  N.  H.  — K.  S. 

1809,  Mar.  14:     The  following  from  the  town  records: 

1.  Chose  Samuel  Hills,  moderator. 

2.  "       Eli  Dart,  town  clerk. 

3.  Voted  to  adjourn  for  half  an  hour  then  to  meet  at  this  place — met 

accordingly. 

4.  Voted  to  adjourn  to  the  house  of  John  Norris — met  accordingly. 

5.  Voted  to  adjourn  to  the  meeting     house — met     accordingly.      The 

election  of  further  town  officers  then  took  place.  Later  the  same 
day,  again  voted  to  adjourn  for  one  hour,  then  to  meet  at  this 
place — met  accordingly. 

6.  Voted  that  the  town  purchase  a  supply  of  Powder,  Lead  and  Flints. 

1809:  When  the  first  settlers  came  here,  and  even  until  after  this  date,  the 
only  "good  farming  land"  in  town  was  on  the  hills  and  no  one  consid- 
ered the  sandy  plain  or  wet  marshy  meadows  of  any  great  value.  A 
man  could  have  purchased  all  the  latter  land  he  wished  for  $1.25  per 


164  History  of  Surry 

acre.  This  explains  why  so  many  "hill  farms"  now  abandoned  are 
found  in  town.  — Tra. 

1810,  Sept.  3:     The  town  paid  John  Chandler,  or  Asa  Wilcox,  S28.00  for  build- 

ing the  bridge  by  Jonathan  Lock's  mill  on  the  Redding  road,  near  the 
"Butler  Rock." 

"This  certifies  that  Delevan  Delance  Jr.  of  Surry  and  Anna  Blish  of 
Gilsum  have  bin  Published  as  the  law  directs — and  their  intention  of 
Marriage  has  ben  Publickly  forbidden  by  Eunice  Wilcox  of  Surry." 

Eli  Darte     T.  Clerk 

(Note — No  date  is  found  on  this  notice,  but  Eli  Dart  was  town  clerk 
between  1795  and  1811). 

1811,  Mar.  12:  The  annual  town  meeting  for  the  first  time  opened  "with 
prayer"  by  Rev.  Perley  Howe. 

1811,  Aug.:  The  town  was  involved  in  a  law-suit  with  Westmoreland  over 
the  support  of  Widow  Sarah  Wilbur,  a  town  charge. 

1812,  June  3 :     Voted  to  allow  Major  Nathan  Hayward  S12.55  for  the  care  of 

Dinah  Armstrong  in  her  last  sickness. 

1812,  June  3 :  Voted  to  allow  a  bill  of  $1.75  to  John  Thayer  for  making  a 
coffin  for  Dinah  Armstrong. 

1814,  Mar.:  Jeremiah  Robbins  was  appointed  overseer  and  his  dwelling  a 
"Work-house  and  House  of  Correction"  to  be  under  the  care  of  the 
selectmen.    Jonas  Pollard  was  appointed  from  1815  to  1825. 

1814,  Oct.  1 :  A  letter  was  in  Keene  P.  O.  for  "Asa  Wilcox,  Wheal-write  of 
Surry."  — K.  S. 

1815:  Voted  to  sell  the  maintainance  of  Phebe  Crandall  to  the  lowest  bidder. 
§8.75  being  the  lowest  bid,  Jonathan  Harvey  engaged  to  maintain  her 
as  usual  for  the  ensuing  year. 

1816,  Mar.  16:  "E.  Fuller  &  Co.  dissolved"— Elijah  Fuller,  William  Baxter 
and  John  T.  Wilcox.     Fuller  and  Baxter  will  continue  the  business. 

1816,  Apr.  26:     Thomas  Wilson  and  Jonathan  Webster  dissolved  partnership. 

— K.  S. 

1816,  May  25:     "Foster  &  Williams"  of  Surry  give  notice  that  they  have  sold 

their  stock  and  trade  to  Josiah  Knight. 

1816  June  5:  Voted  to  allow  Abraham  Thompson,  a  negro,  $16.00  for  main- 
taining "a  black  woman." 

1817,  Mar.:  Voted  to  allow  a  bill  of  |25  for  deporting  the  Russell  Hurd 
family  to  Connecticut. 

1817,  Oct.  5:     A  very  heavy  earthquake  shock  in  Cheshire  Co. 

1818,  Mar.:     Voted  to  pay  |20.00  to  assist  the  Cheshire  Agricultural  Society. 

1818  (abt.  Apr.  25)  :  Died  in  Alstead,  Isaac  Temple,  aged  80.  He  "formerly 
was  crier  of  the  Court  in  this  County." 

1819,  Nov.  1:     Theodore  Monroe  gives  notice  to  the  "sportsmen"  that  he  has 

50  turkeys  to  be  shot  at. 


JNllSCELLANEOUS    ItEMS  165 

1820,  June  3 :  The  toll-gates  on  the  3d  N.  H.  Turnpike  have  been  thrown  open 
to  the  public. 

1822,  Apr.  9:  Two  locations  on  which  to  build  a  town  pound  were  proposed, 
one  to  be  built  of  stone  opposite  Jonathan  Hai'vey's  tavern  (No.  83) 
for  $18.50  and  the  other  to  be  of  wood  22  x  32  x  7  feet  for  815  to  be 
located  east  of  the  Meetinghouse  where  the  old  schoolhouse  stood. 
Neither  pound  was  ever  built. 

1824,  Feb.  12:  Thaw  and  rain  caused  a  great  freshet  on  Ashuelot  river  and 
a  bridge  on  the  Surry  Turnpike  was  washed  away. 

1825-1831 :  Rev.  Perley  Howe  was  President  of  Cheshire  County  Bibk  So- 
ciety. 

1825 :  The  navigation  of  Ashuelot  river  up  as  far  as  Keene  was  under  con- 
sideration. 

1825 :  Gilsum  voted  to  build  a  tomb  so  that  bodies  could  be  kept  one  year 
after  death  and  not  be  stolen  by  medical  students. 

1826,  Dec.  22:     It  is  expected  that  the  Ashuelot  river  will  become  navigable 

as  far  as  Keene  within  a  few  years.  — K.  S. 

1827,  Mar.  13:     Voted  that  Augustus  Johnson's  house  be  a  Work  house  and 

House  of  Correction,^  and  Mr.  Johnson  the  keeper. 

1827,  Mar. :  At  the  annual  town  meeting  Surry  voted  in  favor  of  dividing 
Cheshire  county.     Sullivan  county  was  soon  after  formed. 

1827,  May  24:     Hon.  Samuel  Hills    a  very  highly  respected  citizen  of  Surry 

died  quite  suddenly  at  his  home  "a  victim  to  the  Thompsonian  system 
of  practice."     Age  61.  — K.  S. 

1828:  "Sunday  travelling  for  other  than  religious  purposes"  was  being  agi- 
tated through  the  press. 

1828,  Oct. :  Postmaster  General  asks  bids  to  carry  the  Mail  from  Keene, 
thi'ough  Surry,  Drewsville  and  Langdon  to  Charlestown  once  a  week — 
23  miles;  to  leave  Keene  each  Wednesday  at  4  A.  M.,  and  Charlestown 
on  the  return  trip  at  1  P.  M.  the  same  day.  — K.  S. 

1830,  Jan.  19:  The  Derry  Hill  schoolhouse  in  Walpole  district  No.  7  was 
burned,  and  all  contents  destroyed.     A  defective  chimney  was  the  cause. 

1831,  Feb.  28:     Benjamin  Hills  of  Surry  gives  notice  that  Ambrose  H.  Sloan, 

Jr.,  an  indented  apprentice  boy  has  run  away. 

1831,  Mar.  8 :  Voted  to  let  out  the  maintainance  of  the  poor  to  the  lowest 
bidder;  "Phebe  Crandall  being  set  up  at  vendue  was  struck  off  to  John 
W.  Reed  at  $19.00."  The  maintainance  of  Love  Allen  was  struck  off  to 
John  S.  Britton  at  0.00  (nothing)'  he  being  the  lowest  bidder." 

1832 :  At  a  mass  meeting  of  Cheshire  county  towns  held  in  Keene  to  make  ar- 
rangements for  celebrating  Washington's  birthday  Sylvester  Smith  and 
Samuel  Robinson  were  chosen  a  committee  from  Surry. 

1833,  Nov.  13:  "A  very  peculiar  and  wonderful  atmospherical  phenomenon 
took  place  from  midnight  until  dawn,  of  falling  meteors.  It  was  ob- 
served in  the  New  England  states  and  as  far  south  as  Philadelphia.     It 


166  History  of  Surry 

resembled  sparks  from  a  blacksmith's  anvil,  only  much  larger.  The 
lights  all  appeared  to  proceed  directly  from  the  zenith  and  shot  out  in 
all  directions;  extending  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach  and  leaving  a 
tail  behind  them  similar  to  that  of  a  meteor.  The  tail  of  many  of 
them,  after  their  force  was  expended  remained  stationary  a  consider- 
able length  of  time.  — K.  S. 

1834,  Apr.  7 :  Voted  that  no  horses,  neat  stock,  sheep  or  swine  shall  run  at 
large  on  any  highway  or  common  in  town  from  April  1st  until  Nov. 
1st  under  a  fine  of  50c  for  each  creature. 

1834:  The  last  time  the  town  "voted  to  sell  the  keeping  of  the  poor  to  the 
lowest  bidder."  From  that  time  the  poor  were  left  in  care  of  the  se- 
lectmen who  found  a  suitable  home  for  each,  or  placed  them  on  the 
Town  Farm.  Miss  Phebe  Crandall  was  a  "town  charge"  for  nearly 
fifty  years. 

1836,  Apr.  20:     James  Hatch,  blacksmith,  ads.  his  property  for  sale  at  public 

auction  and  will  sell  his  property  in  Surry  including  one  organ,  one 
clock,  one  2nd  hand  chaise,  etc. 

1837,  Aug.  10 :     The  new  Wilson  Mowing  Machine  has  recently  been  tested  on 

Long-  Island  and  it  will  cut  five  acres  of  grass  in  a  day. 

1839,  Jan.  26:  A  very  hard  storm  occurred  in  this*  part  of  New  England,  and 
many  bridges  swept  away. 

1838,  Mar.  13:  Voted  to  purchase  the  William  Wright  farm  for  a  Town 
Farm.     1842  Daniel  Abbott  was  chosen  agent  of  the  Farm. 

1839,  Oct.  30 :     "A  Vermont  farmer  in  descending  the  hill  near  Holbrbook's 

in  Surry  had  the  miisfortune  to  have  his  leg  broken  by  being  thrown 
from  his  wagon.  Some  of  the  harness  gave  away  and  the  wagon  with 
a  load  of  butter  upset."  — K.  S. 

1840 :  Samuel  Grant  was  living  on  the  "Seven  Barns"  farm  in  the  southeast 
corner  of  Walpole  and  raised  3200  bushels  of  the  "long-john"  potatoes. 
Bradley  Britton  and  another  man  was  working  for  Mr.  Grant,  and  had 
for  a  day's  stint  the  digging  and  putting  in  the  cellar  150  bushels  of 
potatoes. 

1840:  The  U.  S.  Census  was  taken  by  Bethuel  Farley  of  Marlow  for  the  towns 
of  Gilsum,  Surry,  Walpole,  Alstead,  Marlow,  Sullivan  and  Stoddard. 

— K.  S. 

1840 :  The  key-stone  arch  bridge  over  the  Ashuelot  river  in  the  north  part  of 
Keene — on  West  Surry  road — erected. 

1840,  July  8:     Hon.  Daniel  Webster  after  delivering  an  address  in  Stratton, 

Vt.,  during  the  great  political  campaign  came  to  Bellows  Falls  where 
he  delivered  an  address  from  the  upper  balcony  of  the  Mansion  House. 
"He  spoke  in  his  eloquent  and  impressive  manner  for  about  an  hour 
and  a  half."  The  day  following — Thursday  July  9, — he  came  to  Keene 
via.  Walpole  and  the  west  part  of  Surry.  When  the  barouche  reached 
the  highland  between  Ashuelot  and  the  Connecticut  valley  he  asked  the 
driver  to  stop  that  he  might  get  out  and  view  the  Green  Mts.  of  Ver- 


Miscellaneous  Items  167 

mont  and  the  hills  in  N.  H.    That  afternoon  Mr.  Webster  delivered  an- 
other stirring  address  in  Keene. 

1840,  Oct.  10 :     Gen.  James  Wilson  of  Keene  delivered  an  address  at  the  old 

meetinghouse  in  Surry. 

1841,  Mar.  9 :  The  town,  for  the  first  time,  votes  a  sum  for  ringing  the 
church  bell;  |10  was  raised  for  that  purpose  and  to  keep  the  meeting 
house  clean.  For  many  years  thereafter  there  was  ringing  of  the  bell 
each  week  day  at  noon  and  9  o'clock  P.  M.,  also  when  church  services 
were  held. 

1841:  The  Postmaster  General  advertises  for  bids  to  carry  the  U.  S.  mail 
from  July  1,  1841  until  June  30,  1843.  Route  No.  224,  from  Keene  to 
Surry,  Drewsville,  Bellows  Falls,  Charleslown,  Springfield,  N.  Spring- 
field, Perkinsville,  Greenbush,  Felchville  Reading,  S.  Woodstock  to 
Woodstock,  Vt. — 58  miles.  There  shall  be  three  round  trips  each  week 
with  a  four-horse  coach;  to  leave  Keene  6  A.  M.  Tuesday,  Thursday 
and  Saturday  and  arrive  at  Woodstock  at  6  P.  M.  the  same  day. 

1842:  The  first  lucifer  matches  were  introduced  in  town.  They  were  soon 
followed  by  the  introduction  of  the  steel  writing  pen. 

1842,  Feb.  1:     About  this  day,  Samuel  Hammond  died  at  Wardsboro,  Vt.;  age 

94  years.     He  was  the  last  man  of  the  famous  Tea  Party  of  Boston, 
1773. 

1843,  July  4 :     Keene  Light  Infantry  marched  to  Surry  where  Rev.  Abraham 

Jackson  of  Walpole  delivered  an  address.  — K.  S. 

1844,  Jan.  5:     A  District  Temperance  Meeting  was  held  in  Surry  at  10  A. 

M.     Per  order :     Rev.  Elihu  Smith,  Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr.  Committee. 

1845  or  about  that  time,  the  construction  of  the  Cheshire  railroad  was  under 
consideration.  It  was  built  between  Ashburnham,  Mass.,  and  Bellows 
Falls,  Vt.,  via.  Winchendon,  Fitzwilliam,  Troy,  Keene  and  Walpole. 
Engineers  had  surveyed  as  far  as  Keene,  then  they  proceeded  up  Surry 
valley  between  the  river  and  the  base  of  the  mountain,  then  along  on 
the  side  of  the  hill  east  of  No.  135  and  over  the  Alstead  Hills  to  Drews- 
ville and  the  Falls.  On  account  of  the  grade  they  abandoned  this  route. 
Next  they  turned  their  attention  to  that  of  Westmoreland,  but  the  en- 
gineer met  the  grade  again  between  the  Ashuelot  and  the  Connecticut 
valleys.  Finally  an  engineer  was  recommended  who  could  "survey  a 
route  to  the  moon"  if  they  could  keep  him  sober.  He  soon  had  a  route 
laid  out  where  the  railroad  was  built. 

1845,  July  1 :     A  new  postal  law  took  effect  when  newspapers  could  be  sent 

free  to  all  towns  within  30  miles  of  Keene. 

1845,  Sept.  17:  "It  is  expected  that  a  tunnel  will  be  found  expedient  (in 
building  the  new  railroad)  across  the  'narrow'  which  makes  the  sum- 
mit (through  the  corner  of  Surry),  between  Keene  and  Walpole. — K.  S. 

1846,  Sept. :     William  J,  Griswold,  an  Englishman  of  Surry,  was  fined  $200.00 

and  six  months  in  jail  for  "beating  Elijah  Holbrook  and  holding  him 
in  duress  until  he  signed  a  note  of  8500.00."  — K.  S. 


168  History  of  Surry 

1848,  About  this  time,  Mrs.  Levi  Brooks  introduced  the  first  tomatoes  into 
Surry.  They  from  one  to  l}-i  inch  in  diameter,  of  red  variety  and 
not  especially  desirable  as  an  article  of  food.  — Tra. 

1848,  Apr.  6:  The  railroad  at  the  "summit"  will  probably  be  finished  by  next 
Sept.  — K.  S. 

1848,  Tuesday,  May  16:  The  first  train  from  Boston,  via.  Fitchburg  and 
Troy,  arrived  in  Keene.  Mayor  Quincy  of  Boston,  Mayor  Warren  of 
Charlestown,  Hon.  Alvah  Crocker  of  Fitchburg  and  many  others  ar- 
rived that  morning. 

1848,  Aug. :     A  serious  fight  among  the  Irish  who  were  working  at  the  "sum- 

mit" took  place;  several  were  injured;  foi'ty  of  the  men  were  arrested 
and  lodged  in  Keene  jail.  The  state  militia  was  called  out  to  quell  the 
riot.  — K.  S. 

1849,  Jan.  4 :     Trains  began  running  on  the  Cheshire  railroad  from  Keene  to 

Bellows  Falls,  Vt.  — K.  S. 

1850 :  It  was  an  old  tradition  that  the  lightning  never  struck  in  Surry  val- 
ley. However,  from  the  numerous  visits  of  the  "firey  fluid"  since  that 
time  we  "question"  tradition.  — Tra. 

1855,  June  22:  The  "Ketchum"  mowing  machine,  manufactured  in  Worcester, 
Mass.,  was  being  introduced  into  Cheshire  Co.  George  Crehore  pur- 
chased about  that  time  the  first  machine  in  town. 

1855 :  About  this  time  a  very  old  and  large  hemlock  was  cut  on  the  meadow 
south-east  of  the  village,  and  not  far  from  the  barn  now  standing.  It 
was  over  four  feet  in  diameter,  the  top  was  a  dead  stub  125  feet  above 
the  ground  and  probably  15  feet  short  of  its  original  height.      — Tra. 

1857,  Oct.  25:  William  Slade,  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  died  in  Alstead,  aged 
100  years,  eleven  months.  Stephen  Slade,  also  a  soldier,  died  a  few 
months  later  in  same  town,  aged  97  years. 

1860,  Mar.  13 :  George  W.  Holbrook  in  making  up  the  warrant  for  the  annual 
town  meeting,  by  an  error,  called  the  meeting  at  "9  P.  M."  instead  of 
at  "9  A.  M."  Several  of  the  voters  assembled  according  to  the  calling, 
then  voted  to  adjourn  until  the  day  following.  This  was  wittily  called, 
"The  mid-night  Town  Meeting." 

1861,  During  this  fall  patriotic  meetings  were  held  in  the  town  hall  and 
soon  after  some  of  the  young  men  enlisted  in  the  Civil  war. 

1861,  Mar,  13:     Voted  to  leave  the  renting  of  the  Town  Farm  to  the  select- 

men. Joshua  D.  Blake  paid  $70.00  for  its  use  in  1866.  Lewis  Newton 
166.50  in  1867,  and  in  1868  the  town  received  $80.75  rent,  for  all  except 
the  house  and  garden  which  was  reserved  for  "Billy  Wright." 

1862,  Aug.  27 :     Hailstorm  in  Surry.     Two  inches  of  ice  fall.     In  Sept.  of  that 

year  Charles  W.  Reed  shot  a  wild  duck,  and  two  pigeons. 

1864:  Dogs  were  taxed  in  town.  21  taxed  that  year;  23  in  1865;  19  in  1866; 
15  in  1867,  and  19,  1868-69.     They  are  still  taxed  (1922). 


Miscellaneous  Items  169 

1869,  Nov.  9:  Voted  to  raise  $1200.00  to  repair  roads  and  bridges,  caused  by 
the  freshet. 

1875,  Prior  to  this  time,  the  celebrated  "Jim  Fiske"  passed  through  Surry 
once  at  least,  with  his  famous  four-in-hand  team,  and  John  L.  Sullivan, 
the  pugilist,  visited  Surry  hotel  during  the  height  of  his  career  and 
"drank  to  the  health  of  the  town."     This  was  about  1883-4.      — Tra. 

1878,  Supei'visors  of  the  check-list  were  elected  to  serve  two  years  each. 

1881,  July  28:  The  Granite  State  Gold  and  Silver  Mining  Co.  sunk  a  shaft 
to  the  depth  of  65  feet.  A  small  quantity  of  ore  has  been  smelted 
which  contained  lead,  copper,  silver  and  gold  which  yielded  $33.00  per 
ton.     Feb.  8,  1882  the  shaft  was  down  80  feet.  — K.  S. 

1881,  Mar.  8:  Art.,  td  see  what  action  the  town  will  take,  "To  prepare  and 
publish  the  early  history  of  the  town."  No  action  was  taken.  Again, 
Mar.  1882  '83  and  1884,  similar  articles  were  in  the  annual  town  war- 
rant,  but  nothing  was  accomplished.  — T.  R. 

1884,  Mar.  11:     Voted  to  purchase  a  road  scraper.  — T.  R. 

1893,  Nov.  18:  Lewis  F.  Blake  while  digging  for  a  water' pipe  at  No.  35, 
found  an  old  Spanish  coin,  dated  1781.  And  some  years  later  an  orig- 
inal "George  Washington  button"  was  found  in  the  village. 

1900,  Mar.  9 :  Sidney  J.  Wilder  hauled  a  red-oak  log  from  his  farm  into 
Keene  which  was  4  feet,  4  inches  in  dia.  and  eleven  feet  long;  from  the 
rings  it  appeared  to  be  120  years  old. 

1921,  Sept.  1:  While  Frank  E.  Ellis,  son  and  family  were  on  an  auto  trip 
to  Montreal,  Lake  Champlain  and  Lake  George,  he  took  a  25  mile  sea- 
plane trip  over  the  latter  Lake.  So  far  as  known  he  was  the  first 
native  and  lifelong  citizen  to  enjoy  an  air  voyage. 


CHAPTER  X. 

ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY 

OLD   CONGREGATIONAL   CHURCH 

Early    Church    I^istory — The    First    Ordained    Minister — The    First    Meeting 
House — Church  Records — Rev.  Perley  Howe's  Ministry. 

The  first  thought  of  the  pioneer,  after  providing  a  shelter  for  his  family, 
was  to  provide  a  church  and  school.  Scarcely  seven  months  after  Surry  be- 
came a  town,  at  a  meeting  held  Oct.  4,  1769,  it  was  voted 

"to  build  a  house  to  hold  all  public  meetings  in,  and  also  to  keep  school 
in;  to  build  it  22  ft.  long,  18  ft.  wide,  and  to  place  it  on  the  east  side  of 
the  road  opposite  the  burying  yard  bars." 

This  building  probably  stood  2  or  3  or  4  rods  north  of  where  Mrs.  Hattie 
R.  Emmons'  house  now  stands   (1919). 

In  1770,  Dec.  13,  a  town  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Joshua  Darte, 
and,  among  other  things  it  was  voted 

"to  build  a  MEETING  HOUSE  45  ft.  in  length,  35  in  breadth  with  20 
ft.  posts;  to  raise  the  house,  cover  it  and  lay  the  under  floors;  and  glaze 
— as  much  as  half  a  box  of  glass  would  do;  to  pay  one  half  in  good  specie 
at  money  price,  and  labor  when  called  for  by  the  committee.  Voted  to 
set  the  house  by  the  upper  burying  place  as  near  the  bars  as  the  land 
will  permit;  to  raise  120  pounds  to  defray  charges  of  building,  and 
Thomas  Harvey,  Peter  Hayward  and  Jonathan  Smith  should  be  the 
committee  to  build  said  house." 

Mar.  26,  1771,  it  was  voted  "to  make  some  additions  to  the  meeting 
house  now  in  building,  viz.  that  it  be  built  with  22  ft.  posts,  be  36  ft. 
wide  if  the  timbers  will  admit,  and  that  it  be  built  46 1^  ft.  in  length; 
that  the  windows  be  so  big  as  24  squares  of  7  x  9  glass  will  make  them; 
that  the  committee  shall  board  the  house  with  boards  edge  to  edge  with 
square  edged  boards,  and  clapboard  the  house,  and  board  and  shingle 
the  roof." 

The  first  mention  of  a  minister  appears  in  the  Warrant  for  above 
Town  meeting  of  Mar.  26,  1771  "to  see  if  the  town  will  agree  to  make 
any  provision  for  the  support  of  the  ministers  that  come  to  preach 
amongst  us  this  current  year." 

By  midsummer  of  the  next  year  the  building  had  progressed  so  far  that  a 
town  meeting  was  held  in  it  (probably  the  first  gathering  of  any  kind),  and, 
at  this  time — July  13,  1772 — it  was  voted  to  dismiss  the  meeting  house  com- 
mittee, to  accept  the  new  meeting  house,  and  to  raise  30  pounds  more  to  fin- 
ish it  "lawful  money  to  be  paid  Dec.  25,  1773  in  money  or  the  following  specie, 
rye,  wheat,  flax,  oats,  pork,  beef  or  Indian  corn — all  to  be  good  and  market- 
able and  to  be  paid  at  the  market  price  on  or  before  Dec.  25,  1773." 


Ecclesiastical  History  171 

The  next  March  it  was  voted  ''to  draw  the  pews  and  seats  as  the  plan  re- 
ceived and  finish  them  within  three  years  or  forfeit  them  to  the  town,  and  that 
he  who  will  not  draw  now  according  to  his  rate  shall  forfeit  to  the  next  high- 
est rate." 

The  church  building  although  far  from  being  complete  was  now  ready  for 
use,  and  June  7,  1773  it  was  voted  "to  raise  ten  pounds  la\\-ful  money  to  hire 
preaching  on  probation." 

Oct.  4,  1733  voted  "not  to  hire  the  Rev.  Mr.  Treadway  on  the  terms  the 
committee  related,  and  that  the  money  already  voted  to  hire  preach- 
ing on  probation  should  be  laid  out  to  pay  for  the  entertaining  of  min- 
isters but  not  on  probation." 

Dec.  13,  1773  voted  "to  lengthen  out  the  payment  of  21  pounds  of  the 
meeting  house  rate  one  year." 

Mar.  29,  1774  voted  "not  to  raise  any  money  for  the  meeting  house  this 
year." 

Sept.  1774  voted  "to  send  for  the  Rev.  Mr.  George  Gilmore  to  preach  this 
year." 

Oct.  20,  1774  voted  "that  the  Quoristers  have  the  liberty  to  sing  such 
tunes  on  the  Sabath  as  they  shall  think  proper." 

Jan.  19,  1775  voted  "to  settle  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gilmore  amongst  us,  to  give 
him  50  pounds  settlement,  also  to  give  him  for  salary  30  pounds  a 
year  till  it  comes  to  50  pounds  a  year;  salary  to  be  paid  one  quarter 
in  money  yearly  and  %  as  follows;  Indian  corn  at  2  shillings  &  six 
pence  the  bushel,  wheat  at  4  shillings  and  six  pence,  rye  3  shillings 
and  four  pence  the  bushel,  flax  at  half  a  pence  the  pound,  beef  at  2 
pence  the  pound,  pork  at  3  pence  half  penny  a  pound.  Thomas  Darte 
Obadiah  Wilcox  and  Joshua  voted  a  committee  to  treat  with  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Gilmore." 

At  a  March  meeting  in  1775  it  was  voted  "not  to  do  anything  to  the 
meeting  house  this  summer,"  but  it  was  later  voted  in  same  meeting 
"to  cover  the  meeting  house  this  summer,  and  raise  30  pounds  to  do 
it."  But  this  vote  was  revoked  at  a  special  meeting  in  May,  and 
nothing  was  done  on  the  building  that  year. 

July  15  1776  voted  "to  raise  5  pounds  to  hire  preaching  with  this  sum- 
mer." 

Dec.  29,  1777  voted  "not  to  raise  any  money  for  preaching  this  winter." 

July  19,  1778  voted  "to  hire  a  candidate  to  preach  with  us  on  proba- 
tion" also  voted  "to  reconsider  above  vote." 

May  8,  1779  voted  "to  hire  the  Rev.  David  Goodall  to  preach  with  us  on 
probation;  to  give  him  for  the  time  he  should  be  on  probation  at  the 
rate  of  60  pounds  a  year,  he  boarding  himself,  to  be  paid  as  follows; 
wheat  at  6  shillings  a  bu.,  rye  at  4  shillings,  Indian  corn  3  shillings, 
pork  4  pence  V2  pence  a  pound,  beef  at  3  pence,  flax  8  pence,  wool  at 
2  shillings  a  pound,  oats  2  shillings  a  bu.,  peas  6  shillings  a  bu.,  beans 
at  6  shillings  a  bu." 


172  History  of  Surry 

Apr.  17,  1780  there  was  an  article  in  the  town  warrant  "to  see  if  the 
town  will  agree  to  move  the  meeting  house  to  sum  Convenient  place 
that  will  accomodate  the  whole"  and  a  time  "when  they  will  move  said 
house."    No  action  was  taken  in  regard  to  this. 

July  10,  1780  voted  at  a  special  town  meeting  "to  hire  Rev.  David  Darl- 
ing to  preach  with  us  on  probation." 

Nov.  14  1780  voted  "to  give  the  Rev.  David  Darling  a  call  to  settle  with 
us  in  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry  at  a  salary  of  100  pounds  a 
year;  to  be  paid  partly  in  the  usual  produce;  to  give  him  50  pounds 
the  first  year  and  rise  40  shillings  a  year  until  it  comes  to  60  pounds  a 
year  to  be  paid  in  above  mentioned  produce  or  money  equivelant;  that 
the  ordination  of  Mr.  Darling  be  on  Thursday,  the  18th  day  of  Jan. 
next." 

THE   FIRST   ORDAINED   MINISTER 

The  following  is  a  portion  of  Rev.  David  Darling's  letter  of  acceptance  to 
the  church  in  Surry.     The  first  part  of  the  letter  with  date  is  missing,  but  it , 
was  written  probably  sometime  in  Nov.  1780. 

"I  have  taken  it  into  consideration  and  Viewing  it  as  the  Hand  of 
Providence  in  my  coming  amongst  you  and  of  his  Divine  Goodness  in 
uniting  your  hearts  together  in  Love  for  the  Blessed  Gospel. 

I  think  myself  obliged  and  bound  by  duty  to  accept  of  your  Generous 
Invitation  on  the  proposals  you  made  in  your  request;  although  I  think 
myself  insufficient  alone  to  perform  such  a  great  and  Labourous  work 
which  is  incumbent  on  a  Minister  of  Christ,  yet  I  hope  and  trust  that 
you  will  act  like  Rational  Creatures  and  not  Expect  any  more  from  me 
than  from  one  Imperfect  man.  So  I  hope  that  I  shall  be  inabled  by  the 
Divine  assistance  and  your  prayers  for  me  to  answer  your  Expecta- 
tions in  some  measure :  I  hope  that  I  shall  be  inabled  to  Devote  the 
whole  of  my  time  to  God  and  to  your  Service;  that  I  shall  spend  these 
Few  Days  which  I  have  to  Live  in  this  world  in  studying  those  things 
which  will  be  agreeable  to  God's  will     .     .     and  to  your  edification. 

I  hope  that  I  shall  be  made  a  happy  instrument  to  the  people  in  Do- 
ing much  Good;  that  I  shall  be  Directed  by  God  into  such  measures  of 
Grace  that  I  can  bring  to  you  such  things  from  His  holy  word  which 
which  will  be  attended  with  His  blessing  to  build  us  up  together  in 
Love  and  harmony. 

I  do  promise  and  covenant  my  self  to  this  Church  and  People  to  be 
your  minister  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ  and  shall  by  the  assistance  of  God 
endeavor  to  Discharge  Every  Duty  incombant  upon  me  as  a  Minister 
of  the  Gospel  as  far  as  God  shall  give  me  grace  and  understanding. 

Thus  I  answer  your  request  and  subscribe  my  self. 

Your  humble  Servant  and  watchman, 

David  Darling" 

Jan.  18,  1781  Rev.  David  Darling  was  installed. 


Ecclesiastical  History  173 

Apr.  8,  1782  voted  "Rev.  David  Darling  52  pounds  as  salary  the  pres- 
ent year."  The  next  year  his  salary  was  voted  with  8  for  and  5 
against  it. 

Nov.  26,  1783  voted  "to  accept  of  the  allegations  the  church  had  drawn 
up  against  Mr.  Darling  and  to  choose  a  committee  of  the  town  to  join 
with  the  church  committee  in  offering  the  allegations  to  Mr.  Darling; 
voted  to  send  Capt.  Lemuel  Holmes  to  Wrentham  to  take  depositions 
of  Mr.  Sylvanus  Hayward  and  wife  concerning  Mr.  Darling's  marry- 
ing them." 

The  details  of  the  Charges  which  caused  the  discharge  of  the  first  ordained 
minister  are  not  fully  known.  The  church  records  say  they  were  not  worthy 
of  being  preserved  on  record  for  the  instruction  and  edification  of  future 
generations. 

Some  action  of  the  Rev.  David  Darling  in  regard  to  the  marriage  of  Syl- 
vanus Hayward  and  Olive  Metcalf  on  April  11,  1783  caused  trouble. 

At  a  town  meeting  held  Jan.  1,  1784,  it  was  voted  to  meet  on  Sundays  for 
public  worship;  that  the  town  pay  Mr.  Darling  his  due  up  to  date;  also  voted 
that  the  town  treat  Mr.  Darling  with  tenderness  and  avoid  everything  that 
might  distress  him  in  his  worldly  circumstances. 

His  labors  as  pastor  probably  ceased  on  that  date. 

A  graduate  of  Yale  in  1779,  this  was  his  first  charge.  He  was  but  a  youth, 
and  the  position  of  pastor  to  this  people  was  difficult.  There  is  no  reason 
to  believe  that  it  was  anything  more  than  an  error  of  good  judgment  or  the 
over  zealousness  of  youth  that  brought  about  his  leaving  the  church  in  Surry 
and  the  minis'rry. 

He  moved  a  few  years  later  to  Keene  and  settled  on  a  farm  where  he  built 
a  house  and  reared  a  large  family;  this  house  is  still  standing  and  was  re- 
cently owned  and  occupied  by  the  late  George  D.  Gillis  who  married  a  grand- 
daughter of  Mr.  Darling.  Mr.  Darling  also  owned  land  in  Surry;  he  and  his 
family  frequently  came  to  this  village  and  both  he  and  his  first  wife  and 
several  of  their  children  are  buried  in  the  South  cemetery. 

Mar.  22,  1785  voted  "not  to  raise  any  money  for  preaching." 

May  28,  1785  voted  "to  raise  10  pounds  to  be  paid  next  fall  to  hire 
preaching  this  summer." 

May  20,  1788  voted  "to  raise  money  to  clapboard  the  meeting  house  (the 
work  to  be  done  in  18  months),  put  in  doors  and  glass  (one  box)  and 
lay  the  floor."  This  vote  would  indicate  that  the  building  was  not 
clapboarded  in  1771,  and  that  it  stood  17  years  simply  boarded. 

Oct.  22,  1788  a  committee  of  three  were  chosen  and  empowered  to  see 
what  had  become  of  the  30  pounds  that  was  raised  to  be  laid  out  on 
the  meeting  house  in  the  year  1772,  and  to  adjust  and  collect  "all  that 
may  be  found  in  the  hands  of  the  former  committee  or  any  other 
persons  in  either  Notes,  Nailes,  Boards,  Claboards,  Glass,  etc.  found 
due  to  the  town." 

Dec.  22,  1788  voted  "not  to  adhere  to  the  vote  last  passed  for  repairing 
the  meeting  house." 


174  History  of  Surry 

Mar.  1789  voted  "to  raise  10  pounds  to  hire  preaching  the  present  year; 

also  to  raise  60  pounds  to  repair  the  meeting  house  and  a  committee 

was  chosen  to  'see  that  the  work  was  done.'  " 
Sept.  2  1789  voted  "to  sell  the  pew  ground  in  lower  and  upper  part  of 

the  house  to  help  finish  the  house." 
Oct.  22    1789  voted  "that  Lemuel  Holmes  be  Vandew  master  to  sell  the 

pews  on  the  lower  floor  beginning  with  No.  1  and  so  on,  except  Pew 

No.  10  oil  the  left  hand  of  the  pulpit,  which  shall  be  for  the  minister." 

Dec.  21,  1789  voted  "to  raise  3  pounds  to  defray  the  charges  of  a  lawsuit 
between  Joshua  Cheever  Fowler  and  the  town  of  Surry  as  the  town 
is  sued  by  way  of  meeting  house  &  minister  taxes." 

Oct.  24,  1791  voted  "to  accept  the  porches  as  they  now  stand  at  the 
meeting  house;  to  finish  the  porches,  and  save  the  pews  which  are 
unsold  for  public  pews," 

Mar.  5,  1792  voted  "to  raise  20  pounds  to  have  preaching  the  present 
year." 

May  23,  1792  voted  "to  raise  18  pounds  to  finish  the  porches,  and  have 
the  work  finished  by  Nov.  next." 

Sept.  14,  1792  voted  "to  raise  13  pounds  6  shillings  8  pence  to  hire  Mr. 
Solomon  Adams  on  probation." 

Oct.  26,  1792  voted  "to  give  Mr.  Solomon  Adams  a  call  to  preach  the 
gospel  with  us;  to -give  him  100  pounds  settlement  and  70  pounds  sal- 
ary." Changed  the  vote  to  read  "to  pay  the  settlement  in  produce 
and  instead  of  70  pounds  salary  50  dollars  in  cash  and  65  pounds  in 
produce." 

May  10,  1793  voted  "to  choose  one  man  to  take  care  of  the  meeting 
house  and  sweep  the  same  the  present  year."  Phinehas  Allen  was 
chosen,  but  no  record  shows  that  he  received  any  pay.  Voted  "to 
give  the  pew  south  of  Ichabod  Smith's  pew  to  Jonathan  Robinson,  said 
pew  is  the  second  from  the  east  door  on  the  south,  and  is  given  in 
lieu  of  a  pew  in  the  gallery  which  was  spoiled  by  making  the  porch 
doors." 

Apr.  5^  1794  voted  "to  accept  the  Communion  Table." 

Sept.  18,  1793  voted  "to  hire  Mr.  Phinehas  Taft  to  preach  with  us  for 

three  months."     He  remained  till  1795,  and  in  that  year  Rev.  Perley 

Howe  was  called  and  ordained. 

THE   MEETING  HOUSE 

Nov.  19,  1789  voted  "to  sell  the  finishing  of  the  MEETING  HOUSE 
to  the  lowest  bidder."  James  McCurdy  bid  off  the  work  for  165  pounds, 
and  a  committee  of  three  were  chosen  to  take  bonds  of  Mr.  McCurdy, 
also  to  instruct  him  how  the  house  should  be  finished  and  inspect  the 
work.     The  committee  thru  Lemuel  Holmes  gave  these  instructions; 

"That  the  whole  of  Said  House  be  finished  in  the  same  form  and  as 
Near  Like  Keen  Meetinghouse  as  the  Bigness  of  Said  house  will  admit 


Ecclesiastical  History  175 

of,  Except  the  pulpit  which  is  to  be  Close  work  in  the  Room  of  Ban- 
nisters, also  that  the  outside  of  Said  Meetinghouse  is  to  be  Glaised  and 
painted  like  Keen  meetinghouse  also  the  pulpit  Window  and  the  Cannopy 
over  the  pulpit  are  to  be  finished  Exactly  like  Keen,  the  inside  of  Said 
house  to  be  plastered  and  whitewashed  Like  Keen  meetinghouse,  also  the 
underpinning  is  to  be  well  Repaired  and  pointed  with  Lime,  also  the 
pews  in  Said  house  are  all  to  be  painted  and  numbered  like  Keen  meet- 
inghouse." 

The  Keene  meetinghouse  referred  to  was  76  ft.  in  length,  50  ft.  in  breadth 
with  a  belfry  and  steeple  at  the  west  end  and  a  porch  at  the  east  end,  each 
with  entrance  doors.  The  main  entrance  was  at  the  middle  of  the  south  side, 
the  "broad  aisle"  leading  thence  to  the  pulpit  opposite. 

*  "The  pulpit,  built  in  the  form  of  a  huge  wine  glass,  was  accessible  by 
circular  stairs  on  either  side.  Over  the  pulpit  was  the  large,  dome 
shaped  sounding  board  to  aid  the  minister's  voice.  A  broad  gallery  ex- 
tended across  the  south  side  and  both  ends,  reached  by  stairs  in  the 
porch  and  belfry.  On  the  floor  of  the  house  and  around  the  galleries 
next  to  the  walls  were  the  pews,  about  seven  ft.  square,  seating  eight 
persons,  the  partitions  topped  with  a  spindle  balustrade  one  foot  high. 
It  was  the  custom  to  stand  during  prayers,  and  the  seats,  placed  along 
the  sides  of  the  pews  and  divided  into  short  sections,  were  hung  on 
hinges  to  turn  up  for  that  purpose;  and  at  the  close  of  the  prayer,  each 
worshipper  would  drop  a  seat  with  a  clatter  like  a  volley  of  musketry. 
Beneath  the  front  of  the  pulpit  were  the  'deacons  seats'  and  in  front  of 
these  a  hanging  table  for  communion  service,  to  be  let  down  when  not 
in  use." 

This  description  of  Keene  meetinghouse  applies  fairly  well  to  the  one  built 
in  this  town;  there  were  porches  at  both  east  and  west  end.  In  1836  a  belfry 
and  steeple  were  built  on  the  east  end.  There  was  a  gallery  on  three  sides; 
the  singers  sat  in  the  front  seats  in  the  gallery.  The  pulpit  on  the  north 
side  was  about  7  ft.  above  the  floor  and  was  entered  on  the  west  side  by  wind- 
ing stairs  of  10  or  12  steps.  The  wood  sounding  board,  bell  shaped,  was  4  or 
5  ft.  in  diameter.  The  chandelier  was  of  wood,  cone  shaped,  6  ft.  in  diameter 
and  about  the  same  in  height  with  a  series  of  steps  on  which  were  small 
wooden  candle  sticks  to  hold  the  candles ;  it  was  suspended  by  a  rope,  and  was 
lowered  to  light  and  refill. 

No  provision  was  made  for  warming  the  house — such  a  thing  was  unheard 
of  in  those  days. 


■Keeue   History   P.   279. 


176 


History  of  Surry 


LOWER  FLOOR  PLAN  &  PEW  OWNERS 


There 

were  36  box  pews  on 

the  first  floor,  a 

them  or 

Sept.  2,  1789,  is  as  follows: 

PAID  £   S. 

1 

Stephen  Tyler 

8-15 

19 

2 

Nathaniel  Darte 

8 

20 

3 

David  Darling 

4-15 

21 

4 

Ichabod    Smith 

8 

22 

5 

Capt.    Samuel    Smith 

7-15 

23 

6 

Eliphalet  Dart 

7 

24 

7 

Moses  D.  Field 

5-15 

25 

8 

Abner   Skinner  Jr. 

8-05 

26 

9 

John  McCurdy 

7-10 

27 

10 

Ministers   Pew 

28 

11 

James  McCurdy 

13-15 

29 

12 

Moses   D.   Field 

8 

30 

13 

Selva  Hayward 

3-10 

31 

14 

Eliphalet  Dort 

5-05 

32 

15 

Nathaniel   Dart 

3-05 

33 

16 

Samuel  McCurdy  Jr. 

4-05 

34 

17 

Jonathan  Smith 

2-15 

35 

18 

Thomas  Smith  Jr. 

6 

floor,  and  the  list  of  those  who  bought 


Peter  Hayward 
Nathan    Hayward 
Jacob  Smith 
Delevan  Delance 
Asa  Wilcox 
Levi  Fuller 
James  McCurdy 
Delevan   Delance 
John  McCurdy 
Stephen  Tyler 
Jonathan  Smith 
Nathan   Hayward 
Obadiah  Wilcox 
Samuel  McCurdy  Jr. 
Caleb  Washburn 
Benj.  Carpenter  Jr. 
John  Redding 


PAID  £    S. 

7 

3-15 

3 

4-15 

3-10 

9 

4 
10-10 

5-05 
12 
10 

5-15 

4-05 

3-05 

3 

3-05 

4-05 


Number  7  was  later  sold  to  Phinehas  Allen;  No.  17  sold  to  Simon  Baxter; 
No.  18  one  half  to  Stephen  Smith,  and  Jacob  Smith  sold  his  half  to  Asa 
Holmes;  No.  21  to  Isaac  Tyler;  No.  23  in  1794  to  Samuel  Allen;   No.  32  in 


Ecclesiastical  History 


177 


1793  to  John  Brockway;  Caleb  Washburn  sold  his  half  of  Nos.  16-32-33  in 
lower  floor  and  a  half  of  No.  6  in  the  gallery  to  John  Willey;  Dee.  13,  1803, 
Nathaniel  Dart  conveyed  to  John  Willey,  a  son-in-law,  two  pews  on  the  lower 
floor,  retaining-  the  use  as  long  as  he  lived.  July  14,  1820  John  Willey  sold 
the  two  pews  to  Theodore  Monroe  and  his  wife;  one  pew  was  the  2nd  on  the 
right  hand  side  of  the  front  door.  Aug.  31,  1818,  James  McCurdy  sold  pew 
No.  11,  being  in  the  wall  pews,  the  first  pew  west  of  the  pulpit,  to  Willard 
Smith  for  $15.00.  In  1837  Ezra  Carpenter  sold  1/3  of  pew  No.  28  to  his  son 
William. 


GALLERY  PLAN  &  PEW  OWNERS 
There  were  18  pews  besides  the  singers'  seats  when  the  following  list  was 
made  Sept.  2,  1789. 

PAID 

1  Lemuel  Field 

2  Lemuel  Holmes,  Esq. 

3  Abijah  Benton 

4  Thomas  Smith 

5  Col.   Jonathan   Smith 

6  Samuel    McCurdy,   Jr. 

7  Calvin  Hayward 

8  Eliphalet  Dart 

9  Thomas  Smith 

No.  2  was  sold  by  Lemuel  Holmes  in  1811  to  Samuel  Hills;  No.  3  by  Abijah 
Benton  in  1795  to  Samuel  Allen;  No.  11  by  William  Barron,  Jr.,  to  John  Wil- 
ley. Mar.  13,  1811,  Hercules  Howard  of  Hinsdale  sold  "the  first  pew  north 
of  the  east  porch  door  in  the  gallery.  No.  16,  to  Nathan  Hayward. 


£  S. 

PAID  £  S. 

1-05 

10 

Obadiah  Wilcox 

4-10 

1-10 

11 

William  Barron,  Jr. 

4 

1-15 

12 

Peter  Hayward,  Jr. 

3 

2 

13 

Samuel  Smith 

2-15 

1-05 

14 

Simon  Baxter 

3 

1-10 

15 

Jonathan  Robinson 

3-10 

2 

16 

Thomas   Smith,  Jr. 

3-05 

2 

17 

Levi  Fuller 

3 

3 

18 

Nathan  Hayward 

2-15 

Sept.  18,  1793  it  was  voted  to  allow  Maj.  S.  Smith  his  account  for  painting' 
the  porches  to  the  meetinghouse;  in  1800  voted  to  reshingle  and  repair  the 
building,  and,  in  March  1808,  to  finish  the  west  porch.  In  1827  an  effort  was 
made  to  move  the  meetinghouse  farther  to  the  west,  and  again  in  1835,  "about 
the  length  thereof  to  the  West  and  to  the  South  not  extending  the  width  of 
the  same."     The  building  still  stands  where  it  was  originally  built,  and,  from 


12 


178  History  of  Surry 

measurements  taken  in  1919,  the  exterior  dimensions  of  the  main  structure  are 
fouund  to  be  47  ft.  by  36  ft.  6  in.  The  old  east  and  west  porches  were  each 
6  feet  additional  in  length. 

July  16,  1835  it  was  voted  to  build  a  belfry,*  and  this  was  done  the  next 
summer,  by  extending  the  east  porch  a  few  feet  above  the  ridge. 

This  was  to  accommodate  a  gift  to  the  town  of 

THE  CHURCH  BELL 

This  bell  is  22  inches  high  and  30  inches  in  diameter  at  the  bottom,  and 
bears  this  inscription : 

"A  natal  gift  to  the  town  of  Surry  by  John  Thomson  of  Albany,  N.  Y.,  July 
4,  1836."  On  the  opposite  side  is  the  name  of  the  maker,  "L.  Aspinwall,  Al- 
bany. 1836." 

The  following  letter  from  Mr.  Thomson  is  of  interest: 

To  Messrs  : 

Francis  Holbrook,  Benjamin  Hills  and  Eliphaz  Field,  of  Surry. 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  15,  1836. 
Gentlemen : 

Your  favor  of  the  11th  is  before  me  and  I  have  this  day  taken  the 
preliminary  steps  to  fulfil  on  my  part  the  promise  which  I  made  to  the 
much  respected  citizens  of  my  native  town    (Surry). 

I  have  called  upon  a  Bell  Founder  and  engaged  that  a  Bell  shall  be 
cast  and  be  at  the  command  of  the  inhabitants  of  Surry  by  the  1st  of 
June  next.  If  it  be  the  pleasure  of  you  gentlemen  of  the  committee,  I 
should  be  pleased  if  you  would  send  your  means  of  conveyance  and  have 
the  bell  there  and  placed  in  the  belfry  and  be  ready  for  use  on  the  day 
of  our  next  national  jubilee,  the  4th,  of  July,  1836,  for  the  first  time. 

It  is  doubtless  unnecessary  for  me  to  say  to  you  the  belfry  should  be 
made  strong  and  well  braced  as  the  bell  will  rack  the  frame,  or  at  any 
rate  will  give  it  a  thorough  trial. 

Please  write  me  about  two  weeks  before  you  send  for  the  bell,  in  order 
that  I  may  have  everything  ready. 

The  person  whom  you  send  should  be  a  man  of  gi'eat  care. 
I  remain,  gentlemen.     Very  respectfully, 

Yours,  etc. 
To  Messrs : 

Francis  Holbrook  John  Thomson. 

Benja.  Hills  & 
Eliphaz  Field 
The  "man  of  great  cai^e"  is  unknown,  but  it  is  said  that  the  bell  came  into 
the  village  from  the  north,  drawn  by  a  gray  horse.  Possibly  it  was  sent  by 
boat  up  the  Connecticut  river  to  Walpole  or  Bellows  Falls,  and  then  drawn  to 
this  town.  The  belfry  was  not  completed  by  July  4th,  but  this  did  not  pre- 
vent the  celebration  of  its  arrival,  which  was  thus  chronicled  in  the  Keene 
Sentinel  of  July  28,  1836. 


Ecclesiastical  History  179 

SURRY   BELL   DEDICATED 
July  4th,  1836 

The  dawn  of  day  was  greeted  with  the  ringing  of  a  beautiful  Bell,  presented 
to  the  town — as  a  "Natal  gift" — by  Dr.  John  Thompson  of  Albany,  N.  Y. 
The  tone  of  which  is  considered  excellent,  surpassing  many  of  much  larger 
size;  its  weight  being  685  pounds. 

Nothwithstanding  the  unfavorableness  of  the  weather,  a  very  large  and 
respectable  procession  was  formed  at  Capt.  Samuel  Robinson's  (at  the  village 
hotel),  and,  escorted  by  a  band  of  martial  music,  marched  to  the  meeting- 
house. After  some  elegant  performances  by  the  choir,  and  a  very  appro  ori- 
ate  prayer  by  Rev.  Perley  Howe,  the  Declaration  of  Independence  wa.,  read 
by  Capt.  Francis  Holbrook,  and  the  audience  listened  with  fixed  attention  and 
delight  to  an  interesting  and  able  oration  by  Jonathan  Robinson  Jr.  Esq. 
After  which  the  procession  moved  back  to  Capt.  Samuel  Robinson's  hall, 
which  was  handsomely  decorated  with  evergreen,  where  they  partook  of  a 
variegated  and  sumptous  collation,  prepared  wholly  by  the  ladies  of  Surry. 
This  is  as  it  should  be.  Before  leaving  the  table,  a  number  of  volunteer- 
toasts  were  given.     The  following  are  a  few  of  them: 

By  David  Shaw,  Esq.:— THE  NATAL  GIFT— May  it  ever  chime  three 
distinct  sounds,  viz. : — 1st.  In  commemoration  of  the  day  we  cele- 
brate. 2nd.  Expressive  of  our  gratitude  to  its  donor,  Dr.  John 
Thompson.  3rd.  To  proclaim  his  generosity  and  humanity  in  his  lib- 
erality, with  his  own  funds. 

By  Jonathan  Robinson,  Esq.  (a  Revolutionary  soldier).  May  the  spirit 
of  generosity  manifested  by  Dr.  John  Thompson  of  Albany  pei'vade 
every  heart,  and  stimulate  each  individual  to  like  acts  of  philan- 
thropy. 

By  Eliphaz  Field:— OUR  NATAL  FRIEND,  DR.  JOHN  THOMPSON, 
May  his  gift  of  a  Bell  sound  his  praise  for  generations  to  come,  as  it 
does  on  this,  our  National  festival,  the  4th  of  July. 

By  Jonathan  Robinson  Jr.  Esq.: — Dr.  John  Thomson,  the  giver  of  the 
Bell,  and  the  inhabitants  of  Surry,  the  receivers; — May  the  giver  be 
as  closely  united  in  the  affections  of  the  receivers,  as  the  Yoke  is  to 
the  Bell. 

By  Ichabod  Ballou: — Dr.  John  Thomson  of  Albany,  N.  Y.,  the  giver 
of  the  Bell : — May  honor  and  gratitude  be  to  his  name. 

By  Capt.  Francis  Holbrook: — 

"The  Orator  of  the  day. 
And  the  giver  of  the  bell; 
The  people  have  met  to  celebrate, 
And  I  think  they've  done  it  well." 
Extracts  from  the  oration  delivered  by  Jonathan  Robinson,  Junr.  Esq.  are 
as  follows : 

"The   generation   active   in   the   first   settlement,   and   intimately   ac- 
quainted with  the  early  history  of  this  town,  has  passed  away;  and,  as 


180  History  of  Surry 

history  has  furnished  nothing  in  relation  to  the  early  settlement  of  this 
town,  which  would  be  anyway  interesting — no  battles  have  been  fought 
here — no  one  either  killed  or  wounded — I,  therefore,  hasten  from  the 
early  history  of  this  town  to  its  present  happy  situation. 

"It  is  a  fact — it  is  a  pleasing  fact — that  the  condition  of  this  people 
is  fast  improving.  In  every  part  of  the  town  we  now  hear  the  pleasant 
hum  of  industry,  and  it  is  true,  that  the  people,  generally,  are  more  in- 
dustrious— ^tending  more  punctually  to  their  own  occupations,  and  med- 
dling less  with  the  business  of  others.  Our  temperate  habits  are  fast 
improving — and,  finally,  we  are  progressing  in  every  way  that  is  good 
i  and  virtuous.  These  fellow-townsmen,  are  pleasing  reflections,  and  let 
pur  motto  be  "Onward!" 

"My  fellow  citizens,  I  feel  it  an  honor,  I  feel  proud  in  declaring  to 
you  this  day,  that  Surry  is  my  native  place;  and  from  the  sweet  and 
melodious  sounds  of  the  bell  that  we  have  this  day  received  from  the 
generous  Doctor  John  Thompson  of  Albany,  we  rejoice  that  he  is  not 
ashamed  to  own  and  declare  to  the  world,  by  a  voice  that  cannot  be 
mistaken,  that  this  is  the  town  of  his  nativity!  And  we  feel  proud  that 
this  town  has  now  the  honor  of  sending  out  one  son,  who  has  been  so 
prosperous  in  accumulating  wealth,  as  to  enable  him  to  present  us  with 
this  precious  gift;  and  we  do  now,  my  fellow-citizens,  with  hearts  filled 
with  gratitude,  present  him  our  most  cordial  and  unfeigned  thanks  for 
this  most  costly  present.  And  may  he  ever  be  kept  in  grateful  i-emem- 
berance  by  this  people;  and  may  the  hills  that  surround  the  bell,  echo 
and  re-echo  the  beautiful  sounds  of  it,  until  it  reaches  the  ears  of  every 
inhabitant. 

"May  it  tingle  such  sweet  sounds  in  the  ears,  that  they  cannot  resist, 
and  may  it  draw  them,  like  a  still  small  voice,  to  attend  public  worship 
on  each  and  every  Sabbath.  And  may  it  be  our  living  sentiment,  In- 
dependence now  and  Independence  forever." 

Before  the  new  year  of  1837  the  belfry  was  completed  and  the  bell  placed 
in  position,  and,  at  last,  after  all  the  years  of  building  and  repairing,  addi- 
tions, etc.,  the  meetinghouse  was  entirely  finished,  but  discord  had  been  seeth- 
ing among  the  worshippers  for  some  years,  and  the  church  bell  tolled  out  the 
old  conditions  to  ring  in  the  news !  Only  a  few  years  after  the  gift  of  the 
bell,  denominational  disputes  caused  a  second  meetinghouse  to  be  built,  and 
in  later  years  the  old  became  the  present  town  hall. 

EARLY  CHURCH  RECORDS 

The  earliest  manuscript  record  of  the  church  in  town  has  probably  been 
destroyed,  but  a  later  record,  much  worn  and  torn  in  places,  gives  all  the 
needed  facts.     It  begins  thus : 

Surry,  Dec.  18,  1793. 
At  a  meeting  of  the  Church  in  Surry  the  subscribers  being  appointed  a 
committee  by  vote  of  the  Church  to  make  inquiry  with  regard  to  the 
time  when  the  church  was  first  incorporated  in  Surry,  the  persons  who 
subscribed  the  covenant,  and  collect  all  other  matters,  as  far  as  may  be. 


Ecclesiastical  History  181 

which  ought  to  be  matters  of  record,  and  make  report  to  the  church  as 
soon  as  may  be  conveniently,  do  now  report  as  follows,  viz : — That  it 
appears  from  an  ancient  manuscript  supposed  to  be  in  the  handwriting 
of  Joshua  Darte  formerly  of  Surry;  that  there  was  a  church  first  gath- 
ered in  Surry  on  the  12th  day  of  June  Anno  Domini  1769,  and  a  cov- 
enant subscribed  by  the  following  persons,  viz; — 

Males  Females 

Jonathan  Smith  Deborah  Dart 

Joshua  Dart  Experience  Smith 

Peter  Hayward  Esther  Hayward 

Joseph  Spencer  Anna  Dart 

Eliphalet  Dart  Lucy  Spencer 

Thomas  Smith  Deborah  Dart  2nd. 

Moses  D.  Field  &  Lydia  Smith 
Samuel  Hall 

and  the  following  persons  have  since  been  admitted  as  members  of  said 
church. 

1771.  Feb.  22,  Thomas  Dart  &  his  wife,  they  being  recommended  from 

some  other  church. 
1771.  June   23,   Ichabod    Smith,   Patience    Field,    Samuel   White,    Phebe 

Dart,   (torn)    Smith,  Deborah  Dart  Jr.,  Elisheba  Smith. 
1771.  July  25,  William  Barron  &  Tabitha,  his  wife. 

1771.  Sept.  21,  Thomas  Harvey. 

1772.  June  21,  Nathaniel  Dart. 

1772.  Aug.  20,  Abner  Skinner  &  his  wife. 
1776.  Nov.  3,  Rebekkah  Benton. 

1780.  Sept.  3,  William  Russell  and  his  wife. 

From  other  papers  it  appears  that  the  following  persons  have  been 
admitted  into  this  church,  viz; — 

1781.  Jan.  18,  Mr.  David  Darling,  by  virtue  of  a  dismission  from  the 
church  in  Wrentham;  at  the  same  time  the  solemn  care  of  this  church 
was  solemnly  committed  to  him.  The  following  churches  were  present 
on  the  occasion,  viz;  Northfield,  Walpole,  Charlestown,  Fitzwilliam, 
Swanzey  and  Royalston. 

It  furthermore  appears  that  the  following  were  admitted  into  this 
church,  but  there  is  no  date  by  which  the  time  of  their  admission  can  be 
obtained,     Obadiah  Wilcox      William  Hayward. 

1781.  Mar.  18,  Nathan  Hayward  &  his  wife,  Eunice  Weare. 
1781.  Apr.  16,  Thomas  Dart  Jr.  &  his  wife,  Sylvanus  Hayward. 
1781.  June  17,  Moses  Weare. 

1781.  June  24,  Roger  Dart  &  his  wife. 

1781.  July  8,  Lemuel  Holmes  &  his  wife  from  the  church  in  Walpole. 

1781.  Aug.  12,  Rebekkah  Ware. 

1781.  Aug.  26,  Mrs.  Esther  Darling;  wife  of  Rufus  Smith. 

1783.  May  11,  Wife  of  Samuel  Packard. 

1783.  July  6,  Wife  of  Edward  Crandell. 


182  History  of  Surry 

It  furthermore  appears  from  the  above  mentioned  papers  that  there  was 
a  number  of  Chui'ch  meetings  held  for  the  settlement  of  difficulties,  both  be- 
fore Mr.  Darling's  settlement,  and  during  his  administrations,  and  sundry 
votes  passed,  but  nothing  so  material  as  to  be  worthy  of  being  preserved  on 
record  for  the  instruction  and  edification  of  future  generations,  until  the 
30th  day  of  December  Anno  Domini  1783,  when  the  following  churches  con- 
vened in  council  and  dissolved  the  relation  between  the  Rev.  David  Darling 
and  this  church  &  people  (viz; — )  Walpole,  Charlestown,  Winchendon,  Fitz- 
william,  Swanzey  and  Keene,  represented  by  their  pastors  and  delegates,  and 
the  church  in  Alstead  by  their  delegates;  of  which  council  the  Rev.  Mr.  01- 
cott  was  moderator  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Fessenden  was  scribe.  At  which  time 
the  Rev.  Edward  Goddard  was  by  vote  of  the  church  chosen  their  moderator. 

From  which  era  nothing  vei"y  material  appears  to  have  been  transacted 
(except  that  Mr.  Darling  upon  making  proper  satisfaction  was  restored  to 
the  charity  and  communion  of  the  church),  until  the  20th  of  January  1788, 
when  the  church  covenant  being  mislaid  and  not  to  be  found  the  church  sol- 
emnly renev/ed  and  published  the  following  covenant: 

We,  whose  names  are  hereunto  subscribed,  having  heretofore 
been  incorporated  in  a  church  state  according  to  the  order  of  the 
Gospel,  but  having  by  some  means  lost  the  covenant  by  us  sub- 
scribed; do  now  in  a  public  and  solemn  manner  renew  and  ratify 
the  following  Covenant  with  God  and  each  other. 

1.  We  publickly  and  solemnly  declare  our  serious  belief  of  the  Chris- 
tian Religion,  as  contained  in  the  sacred  Scriptures;  which  scriptures 
we  take  to  be  our  only  rule  of  faith  &  practice  &  heartily  resolve  to  con- 
form ourselves  thereunto  so  long  as  we  live  in  this  world. 

2.  We  give  up  ourselves  to  the  LORD  JEHOVAH,  who  is  the  Father 
•  and  the  Son  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  avouch  Him  this  day  to  be  our 

God  and  Father,  our  Saviour  and  leader,  and  receive  him  as  our  por- 
tion forever. 

3.  We  give  up  ourselves  to  the  blessed  Jesus  who  is  the  Lord  Jehovah, 
adhere  to  him  as  the  Head  of  his  people  in  the  covenant  of  Grace,  and 
rely  on  Him  as  our  Prophet,  Priest  and  King,  to  bring  us  unto  eternal 
blessedness. 

4.  We  acknowledge  our  everlasting  and  indispensible  obligations  to 
glorify  God  in  all  the  duties  of  a  godly,  sober  and  religious  life. 

We  solemnly  promise  that  we  will  particularly  uphold  the  worship  of 
God  in  public,  and  not  forsake  the  assembling  of  ourselves  together  as 
the  manner  of  some  has  been;  that  we  will  attend  on  the  ordinances  of 
Baptism,  bring  our  children  thereunto,  waiting  for  Christ's  blessing 
upon  them,  and  will  endeavor  to  bring  them  up  in  the  nurture  and  ad- 
monition of  the  Lord. 

We  also  engage  to  attend  constantly  on  the  ordinance  of  the  Lord's 
Supper,  eat  and  drink  discerning  the  Lord's  body. 


Ecclesiastical  History  183 

We  likewise  promise  to  attend  carefully  on  public  prayers,  preaching 
of  the  Word  and  on  every  part  of  Divine  service,  and  that  we  will  per- 
severe therein. 

We  also  engage  to  watch  over  one  another  as  the  Gospel  directs,  and 
in  our  places  to  assist  in  upholding  that  discipline  which  Christ  has  set 
us  in  His  Church,  and  to  submit  ourselves  thereunto  together  with  our 
children. 

We  seriously  promise  I'eligiously  to  observe  the  Lord's  Day  to  keep 
it  holy. 

We,  likewise,  promise  to  maintain  the  worship  of  God  in  our  families, 
to  make  our  houses  places  of  prayer,  and  we  will  endeavor  to  walk  sob- 
erly, righteously  and  godly  among  ourselves,  set  good  example  before 
others,  in  a  word,  we  will  make  it  our  care  to  live  according  to  that 
Rule  Christ  has  set  us,  to  do  to  others  as  we  would  they  should  deal  with 
us. 

For  the  fulfillment  of  this  covenant  and  the  performances  of  the  sol- 
emn engagements  we  humbly  depend  on  the  aid  of  that  "Grace  which  is 
held  forth  in  the  Gospel,  and  freely  offered  to  all  who  cordially  em- 
brace it  by  thankfully  laying  hold  on  God's  covenant  and  choosing  those 
things  which  please  Him. 

At  the  same  time,  engaging  to  hold  Communion  with  all  our  regular 
sister  churches,  to  ask  for  their  help  whenever  we  stand  in  need  of  it, 
and  lend  them  ours  when  properly  desired. 

We  also  invite  our  christian  neighbors  and  friends  to  join  with  us  in 
this  profession  of  faith,  and  these  covenant  engagements,  that  so  this 
church  may  become  beautiful,  as  Tirzah,  comely  as  Jerusalem,  and  ter- 
rible as  an  army  with  banners. 

We  pray  that  grace,  mercy  and  peace  may  be  multiplied  to  all  the 
churches  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  all  the  kingdoms  of  this  earth 
may  become  His  kingdom,  and  the  whole  earth  be  filled  with  His  glory. 
Amen. 

Patience  Field  Obadiah  Willcox 

Abigail  Holmes  Lemuel  Holmes 

Lydia  Smith  William  Barron 

Sarah  Bates  Eliphalet  Dart 

Olive   Hayward  Ichabod  Smith 

Moses  D.  Field 
Surry,  Jan.  17,  1788.  Samuel   Smith 

Nathan  Hayward 

Timothy  Dart 
The  above  covenant  was  sub-  Sylvanus  Hayward 

scribed  and  publicly  consented  Abner  Skinner 

to  in  presence  of  us,  Nathaniel  Dart 

Edward  Goddard  Joseph  Holmes. 

Aaron  Hall 


184  History  of  Surry 

1792.  Oct.  15,  Church  meeting  held  and  a  committee  appointed  to  confer 
with  Mr.  Solomon  Adams  on  the  subject  of  his  settlement  with  us. 

1793.  Dec.  18,  William  Barron  requests  dismission  to  church  in  Keene. 
Voted  to  refer  the  matter  to  the  church  in  Keene.  Committee  appointed  to 
make  inquiry  with  regard  to  the  time  when  the  church  was  first  incorporated, 
subscribers,  etc.     Committee  appointed  to  treat  with  Bro.  Thomas  Harvey. 

1794.  Jan.  15,  Committee  report  concerning  Thomas  Harvey.  It  was  further 
more  voted  "that  notwithstanding  this  church  are  well  satisfied  with  the  per- 
formances of  Mr.  Taft  hitherto,  yet  that  it  is  our  desire  to  have  further  op- 
portunity for  acquaintance  with  him  and  his  abilities  before  we  proceed  to 
give  him  a  call,  and  that  to  this  end  the  town  be  decided  to  make  further  pro- 
vision for  his  continuing  with  us  as  a  candidate  on  probation,  beyond  the  term 
already  agreed  upon. 

1795.  Aug.  9,  Eunice  Ellis,  formerly  Weare,  dismissed  and  recommended 
to  Gilsum. 

1795.  Jan.  19,  This  vote  proposed  and  seconded;  Whereas  this  church  has 
for  a  long  time  been  destitute  of  a  pastor  and  the  regular  and  stated  admin- 
istration of  the  Word  and  ordinances  of  God's  house — and  having  had  Mr. 
Perley  Howe  of  Marlborough  in  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts,  for  a 
considerable  time  preaching  with  us  on  probation,  and  being  fully  satisfied 
with  his  moral  and  Christian  character,  as  also  with  his  ministerial  gifts  and 
accomplishments- — do  now  earnestly  request  him  to  settle  with  us  in  the  work 
of  the  gospel  ministry,  and  take  upon  him  the  charge  and  oversight  of  this 
flock  and  congregation  in  the  Lord. 

Which  vote  being  put,  passed  vinanimously  in  the  affirmative,  and  a  com- 
mittee appointed  to  lay  the  vote  before  the  town,  and  also  Rev.  Howe. 

1795.  Apr.  23,  Voted  that  the  first  Wednesday  in  July  next  be  the  day  for 
the  ordination  of  Mr.  Howe  if  it  be  agreeable  to  the  town  of  Surry. 

Voted  that  letter  missives  be  sent  to  twelve  sister  churches  desiring  their 
presence  and  assistance  by  their  pastors  and  delegates  on  said  day  to  join  in 
such  acts  of  communion  as  are  necessary  for  the  solemn  separation  of  Mr. 
Perley  Howe  to  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry  and  his  investure  in  the  office 
of  a  GOSPEL  BISHOP  in  this  town. 

Churches  invited:  East  Sudbury,  Walpole,  Northborough,  Swanzey,  Sud- 
bury, Keene,  Bolton,  Marlborough  (Mass.),  Gilsum,  Westmoreland,  South- 
borough,  Alstead. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  join  with  the  town  in  sending  letters  to  above 
churches.     Voted  to  request  Mr.  Howe  to  assist  in  preparing  said  letters. 

1795.  Sept.  15,  The  following  churches  by  their  pastors  and  delegates  be- 
ing convened  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Nathaniel  Dart  in  Surry  in  consequence  of 
letter  missives  from  the  church  in  Surry  on  the  evening  of  the  15th  of  Sept. 
A.  D.  1795— viz:— churches  in  East  Sudbury,  Walpole,  Northborough,  Swan- 
zey, Marlborough,  (Mass.),  Gilsum,  Westmoreland,  Alstead,  Southborough, 
Keene,  agreed  to  form  into  an  ecclesiastical  council  and  chose  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Fessenden  Moderator  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Goddard  Scribe. 

1795.   Sept.   16.   The   council   met   and   proceeded   to   look   into    Mr.    Perley 


Ecclesiastical  History  185 

Howe's  call  from  the  church  and  town  of  Surry  to  settle  with  them  in  the 
work  of  the  Gospel  ministry,  and  his  answer  to  their  invitation.  Also  into 
Mr.  Howe's  moral  and  christian  character  and  standing  in  the  Catholic 
Church;  also  into  his  aims  and  views  in  undertaking  the  ministerial  work 
and  office;  also  his  abilities  to  discharge  the  same,  and  his  faith  in  the  most 
important  doctrines  of  Christianity. 

The  question  being  put  whether  the  Council  were  satisfied  and  the  way 
was  clear  for  proceeding  to  the  solemn  ordination  of  Mr.  Perley  Howe  to  the 
pastoral  office  in  Surry,  it  passed  in  the  affirmative,  with  few  only  on  the  con- 
trary part.  The  Council  then  proceeded  to  assign  the  parts  to  be  performed 
in  the  public  services,  and  voted — 

Introductory  prayer  Rev.  Mr.  Pratt 

Ordaining  prayer  Rev.  Mr.  Bridge 

Charge  Rev.  Mr.  Fessenden 

Right  hand  of  Fellowship  Rev.  Mr.  Whitney 

The  Council  then  proceeded  to  the  church  in  Surry,  and  Perley  Howe,  A. 
M.,  being  first  received  as  a  member  of  the  church  in  Surry,  by  virtue  of  a 
dismission  and  recommendation  from  the  church  in  Marlborough,  Mass.,  was 
solemnly  separated  and  ordained  Pastor  of  the  church  in  Surry. 

Edward  Goddard,  Moderator 

Attest  of  said  church  and  scribe  of  Council. 
And  this  book  is  according  to  orders  delivered  up  by  the  former  Moderator  to 
the  pastor  of  the  church  in  Surry. 
Sept.  16,  1795. 

1795     REV.  PERLEY  HOWE'S  MINISTRY     1837 

Rev.  Perley  Howe  came  to  town  in  the  summer  of  1794;  at  a  town  meeting 
held  Oct.  18th  "to  see  if  the  town  will  agree  to  hire  him  to  preach  with  us  any 
longer"  it  was  voted  to  hire  him  for  three  months. 

Jan.  21,  1795  voted  "to  give  Mr.  Perley  Howe  a  call  to  settle  with  us,  to 
give  him  a  yearly  salary  of  70  pounds,  and  the  improvement  of  a  par- 
sonage to  be  purchased  within  two  years  at  about  150  pounds." 
Mar.  30,  1795  voted  "to  reconsider  the  Parsonage  for  Mr.  Howe." 
Apr.  23,  1795  voted  "to  ordain  Mr.  Perley  Howe  the  3rd  Wed.  in  Sept. 
16th." 

From  the 

church  records  kept  by  Rev.   Howe. 

1795.  Oct.  15,  A  committee  appointed  to  revise  records  and  make  abridged 
extract  from  the  present  Covenant  of  the  church. 

1795.  Oct.  29,  The  committee  chosen  to  revise  records  reported  the  follow- 
ing draught,  viz; — 

That  you  may  enjoy  the  privileges  of  the  gospel,  you  now  profess  a  sincere 
belief  that  Jesus  is  the  Son  of  God;  that  He  came  into  the  world  to  offer  him- 
self a  sacrifice  for  the  sins  of  mankind;  that  bj'^  His  life.  His  death,  and  by 
His  resurrection  He  hath  opened  to  your  enjojanent  a  lively  hope  of  immor- 


186  History  of  Surry 

tality,  and  that  through  His  righteousness  only  you  can  and  may  have  ac- 
cess to  the  joy  and  to  the  happiness  of  the  heavenly  state.  In  connection  with 
this  faith,  you  also  believe  in  the  existence,  in  the  government  and  in  the 
providence  of  one  self  dependent  God,  who  is  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ. 

You  also  believe  in  the  agency  of  the  Divine  Spirit;  that  it  is  his  office  to  en- 
lighten your  minds;  to  assist  and  guide  you  to  glory. 

You  likewise  believe  that  the  Scriptures  are  the  Word  of  God;  that  they  con- 
tain the  words  of  eternal  life,  and  reveal  the  only  sure  standard  of  faith  and 
practice. 

Impressed  with  these  ideas,  you  now  solemnly  promise,  in  the  presence  of 
God  and  this  church  (To  the  discipline  of  which  you  now  submit  yourself)  that 
you  will  endeavor  to  conform  your  heart  to  the  temper  of  the  Gospel,  and  to 
observe  each  precept,  each  institution  which  Christ  hath  enjoined  on  the  pro- 
fessors of  His  religion. 

The  above  abridged  extract  of  the  covenant  being  read  in  the  presence  of 
the  Church,  and  the  vote  being  called  whether  it  should  be  accepted,  it  passed 
unanimously  in  the  affirmative,  and  is,  therefore,  to  be  the  rule  of  admission 
into  the  church. 

Voted  that  candidates  for  admission  into  the  church  shall  stand  propounded 
the  term  of  three  weeks. 

Voted  that  this  church  hold  fellowship  with  all  denominations  of  professed 
christians. 

Voted  that  the  expenses  of  the  Communion  Table  be  defrayed  by  a  tax  on 
the  members  of  the  church. 

1796.  Mar.  -14,  Voted  that  this  church  shall  hold  five  communions  in  a  year, 
in  the  following  order,  viz : — on  the  Sabbath  next  succeeding  the  annual  Fast, 
on  the  first  Sabbath  in  June,  on  the  second  Sabbath  in  July,  on  the  first  Sab- 
bath in  Sept.,  and  on  the  second  Sabbath  in  Oct. 

1796.  Mar.  24,  Voted  to  raise  five  dollars  to  procure  sacramental  bread  and 
wine  for  the  present  year;  to  pay  four  shillings  for  bread  and  wine  used  the 
past  year;  to  procure  a  basin  to  be  used  in  baptism. 

1796.  Apr.  7,  The  following  question  was  proposed,  viz: — "Shall  particu- 
lar confessions  of  any  crime  be  required  of  a  person  previous  to  membership 
with  this  church?"    Passed  in  the  negative. 

1798.  Apr.  12,  Deacon  Obediah  Wilcox  resigned  because  of  age  and  Moses 
Dickinson  Field  chosen  in  his  stead  to  be  a  deacon,  also  Treasurer.  John 
Brockway  admitted  to  the  church. 

1802.  Apr.  15,  Eli  Dort  chosen  deacon  in  place  of  Moses  D.  Field  resigned. 
Voted  to  relinquish  the  tax  of  Arethusa  Smith  and  Polly  Crandell. 

1802.  Sept.  5,  Moses  D.  Field  asks  dismission  to  the  church  in  Keene.  Ac- 
tion was  postponed. 

1802.  Oct.  6,  1803.  Jan.  10,  1803.  Jan.  24,  Discussion  of  Moses  D.  Field's 
dismission.     Refused  to  grant  it. 

1803.  Apr.  11,  The  church  and  Moses  D.  Field  come  to  a  satisfactory 
agreement,  and  he  is  reinstated  as  a  member  of  the  church. 


Ecclesiastical  History  187 

1804.  Feb.  5,  Josiah  Hendee  brings  accusation  of  assault  and  battery  upon 
the  person  of  Ichabod  Smith;  disavows  the  act,  and  asks  the  church  to  deal 
with  the  matter. 

1804.  Mar.  20  &  May  22,  Matter  between  Josiah  Hendee  and  Ichabod 
Smith  discussed  and  settled  satisfactorilly. 

1805.  Mar.  3,  Invitation  accept'ed  to  send  pastor  and  delegate  to  the  ordin- 
ation of  Pliny  Dickinson  at  Walpole. 

1805.  Oct.  27,  Pastor  and  three  delegates  chosen  to  attend  the  ordination 
of  Rev.  Abner  Kneeland  in  Langdon. 

1806.  July  8,     Capt.  Thomas  Harvey  reinstated  in  the  church. 

1806.  Oct.  12,  voted  to  have  six  communions  a  season  in  the  future. 

1807.  June  4,  Eli  Darte  and  Ichabod  Smith  before  the  meeting.  Ichabod 
Smith  suspended  from  the  church. 

1808.  Oct.  16,  Pastor  and  delegate  chosen  to  attend  the  ordination  of  Rev. 
Sylvester  Bucklin  in  Marlborough,  Massachusetts. 

1808.  Nov.  23,  Committee  chosen  to  treat  with  John  Norris  and  wife  re- 
specting their  repeated  abscences  from  the  church  services. 

1808.  Dec.  7,  21,  28,    Matters  in  regard  to  Moses  D.  Field. 

1809.  Mar.  17,  John  Norris  and  Joanna,  his  wife,  suspended  from  the 
church. 

1810.  Aug.  12,  Pastor  and  delegate  chosen  to  attend  the  Installation  ser- 
vices of  Rev.  Clark  Brown  in  Swanzey. 

1810.  Oct.  7,  Pastor  and  delegate  chosen  to  attend  the  Ordination  services  of 
Mr.  Shipley  Wells  as  an  Evangelist  at  Hartland,  Vt. 

1810.  Dec.  30,  Dea.  Lemuel  Holmes  &  Abigail,  his  wife,  given  letter  of  dis- 
mission to  any  church  they  may  have  opportunity  to  enjoy  the  ordinances  of 
the  gospel. 

1812.  Feb.  16,    Josiah  Hendee  dismissed  to  the  church  in  Hampton. 

1814.  Oct.  6,  Voted  that  members  of  other  churches  residing  with  us  shall 
be  called  upon  to  furnish  certificate  of  their  Christian  standing  in  the  course 
of  one  year  from  the  commencement  of  their  residence  with  us  or  otherwise 
to  sign  our  church  covenant,  and,  that  if  neither  of  these  steps  are  taken,  said 
persons  shall  be  debarred  from  Communion  after  the  expiration  of  the  year. 

1814.  Nov.  27,  Abigail,  wife  of  Edmund  Wetherbee,  propounded  for  ad- 
mission to  the  church. 

1815.  Feb.  2,  Moses  Hill  admitted  to  the  church  from  Gardner,  Mass. 
David  Reed  chosen  deacon. 

1815.  Apr.  13,  Lucy,  wife  of  Moses  Hill,  admitted  to  the  church  from  Peru, 
Vt. 

1815.  Aug.  6,  Delegate  chosen  to  assist  in  dismission  of  Rev.  Clark  Brown 
from  the  church  in  Swanzey. 

1818.  July  1,  Pastor  and  delegate  chosen  to  attend  the  Ordination  of  Rev. 
Zedekiah  S.  Barstow  over  the  church  in  Keene. 

1818.  Dec.  20,  Pastor  and  delegate  chosen  to  attend  the  Installation  ser- 
vices of  Rev.  Broughton  White  in  Washington. 

Pastor  and  delegate  chosen  to  attend  the  Ordination  of  Rev.  Joshua  Chand- 
ler in  Swanzey. 

1819.  Nov.  14,  Ichabod  Crane  and  wife  pi-opounded  for  admission  to  the 
church. 


188  History  of  Surpy 

1820.  Oct.  8,  Voted  that  in  the  future  Communions  should  be  in  regular 
border  the  first  Sabbath  in  every  other  month,  beginning  with  the  first  Sab- 
bath in  January. 

1820.  Dec.  31,  1821.  Jan.  4,  1821.  May  4,  Sept.  16,  21,  1822.  Aug.  30, 
Abijah  Benton  suspended  from  the  church,  and  restored  to  membership. 

1821.  Sept.  16,     Calvin  Allen  Sr.  propounded  for  admission  to  the  church. 
1823.  Apr.  6,     Pastor  and  delegate  chosen  to  attend  the  installation  exer- 
cises of  Rev.  J.  Walker  in  Chesterfield. 

1825.  Dec.  25,  Pastor  and  delegate  chosen  to  attend  the  ordination  services 
of  Rev.  Thomas  Sullivan  in  Keene. 

1826.  May  5,  Ichabod  Ballou  chosen  deacon  in  place  of  Dea.  Field. 

1831.  Sept.  4,  Hannah  Holbrook  and  Mary  Harvey  request  dismission  to 
the  church  in  Alstead.     Request  to  be  further  considered. 

1833.  Apr.  11,  Ichabod  Ballou  dismissed  from  office  of  Deacon,  and  sus- 
pended from  the  church  for  six  months. 

1836.  Oct.  9,  Pastor  and  delegate  chosen  to  attend  the  ordination  services 
of  Rev.  Abiel  Abbott  Livermore  in  Keene. 

This  closes  the  church  records  kept  by  Rev.  Perley  Howe. 

ADMISSIONS  INTO  THE  CHURCH  BETWEEN  1796  AND  1837. 
PERLEY  HOWE,  PASTOR. 

1796.  Jan.  24,  Eli  Dart,  Joanna,  his  wife,  and  Anna  Dai-t.     Apr.  7,  Zeruiah 

Howe,  wife  of  Rev.  Perley  Howe,  from  Marlborough,  Mass.  July  10, 
Ruth,  wife  of  Benj.  Cai'penter;  Joanna,  wife  of  Ebenezer  Gilbert. 

1797.  Aug.   31,  Josiah   Hendee  from  Walpole.      Sept.   18,   Daniel   Smith   and 
Nabby,  his  wife. 

1798.  Apr.  12,  John  Brockway.     July  5,  Polly,  wife  of  Eldad  Skinner,  from 

Bolton,  Conn. 

1799.  Mar.  3,  John  Norris  and  Joanna,  his  wife.     Oct.  13,  Arethusa,  wife  of 

Thomas  Smith,  Jr. 

1802.  July  1,  Joanna,  wife  of  Joshua  Fuller. 

1803.  Apr.  10,  Ebenezer  Bill  and  wife.     Aug.  14,  Hannah,  wife  of  Benjamin 

Smith. 

1804.  Aug.  31,  Moses  Field  and  Polly,  his  wife.     Sept.  2,  Widow  Sarah  Dart, 
Abigail  Wheelock. 

1808.  July  10,  Abijah  Benton;  Sybil  wife  of  Daniel  Smith. 

1810.  June  3,  Silas  Perry  and  wife  from  Westminster,  Mass. 

1811.  Jan.  20,  Widow  Susannah  Bond. 

1812.  June  4,  Roxana  Harvey,  wife  of  Jonathan;  Sally  Martin. 

1814.  Apr.  14,  Joseph  Holmes  from  Brimfield,  Mass.     May  22,  Salmon  Bellows 

from  Walpole.  June  5,  John  McCurdy;  Rachel,  wife  Phinehas  Allen; 
Anna,  wife  of  Elijah  Norris;  Martha,  wife  of  Jonas  Pollard;  Nancy, 
wife  of  Samuel  Robinson;  Eunice  Allen;  Betsy  Robinson.  July  10, 
David  Reed;  Hannah  Hawes.  Sept.  4,  Susanna,  wife  of  Allen  Butler. 
Dec.  4,  Sarah,  wife  of  Peter  Joslin. 

1815.  Jan.  1,  Abigail,  wife  of  Edmund  Wetherbee.     Feb.  2,  Moses  Hill  from 

Gardner,  Mass.  Feb.  12,  Isaac  Field  and  his  wife.  Apr.  13,  Lucy,  wife 
of  Moses  Hill  from  Peru,  Vt. 


Ecclesiastical  History  189 

1816.  July  11,  Polly,  wife  of  Jesse  Streetei-  from  Westmoreland.  Dec.  1, 
Asahel  Farnsworth  from  Keene. 

1817.  Sept.  4,  Mrs.  Lucinda  Wilcox  from  Marlboro. 
1819.  Nov.  24,  Ichabod  Crane  and  Fanny,  his  wife. 

1821.  Mar.  11,  Philip  Monroe  and  Betsey  his  wife.  Sept.  2,  Moses  Emery. 
Nov.  2,  Calvin  Allen. 

1822.  Mar.  3,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Harvey,  wife  of  Asahel,  from  Keene. 

1824.  Nov.  7,  Phoebe  Howe. 

1825.  July  3,  John  Haile  and  Eunice  from  Putney,  Vt.     Nov.  6,  Ichabod  Bal- 

lon from  Westmoreland. 

1826.  Jan.  1,  Mrs.  Persis  Harvey,  wife  of  Jonathan,  Jr.     Mar.  5,  Mrs,  Pru- 

dence Hayward,  wife  of  Nathan.     Mar.  19,  Sarah  March.    July  2,  Mrs. 
Mary  May. 

1830.  Jan.  3,  Elijah  Norris;  Mrs.  Hannah  Holbrook.     Sept.  2,  Mary  Harvey; 

Elizabeth  Stevens  Joslin. 

1831.  July  3,  Betsey  Wheelock.     Sept.  4,  Mary,  wife  of  Jonathan  Robinson, 

Esq.;  Abigail,  wife  of  Silas  Whitcomb;  Elmina,  wife  of  Cyrus  Bemis; 
Eliphalet  Dart  and  wife. 
1836.  July  3,  Samuel  B.  Fisher. 

DISMISSIONS  FROM  THE   CHURCH 

1786.  July  9,  Thomas  Dart  to  church  in  Gilsum. 

1795.  Aug.  9,  Eunice  Ellis,  formerly  Weai'e,  to  Gilsum. 

1797.  Nov,  9,  William  Russell  to  Fryburg,  Me. 

26,  Phebe  Still,  formerly  Wade,  to  Kingston, 
14,  Joanna,  wife  of  Ebenezer  Gilbert,  to  Walpole, 
30,  Lemuel  Holmes  «fe  wife  to  whatever  church  they  may  associate. 
16,  Josiah  Hendee  to  Hampton. 
13,  Salmon  Bellows  to  Langdon. 
.  11,  Susanna  Bond  to  Baptist  Church  in  Brookline,  Mass. 
,  1,  Lucy  Abbott  to  Keene. 
19,  John   McCurdy,  now  living  in   Concord,  Vt.,   a  letter  to   any 
church  he  may  choose.     Feb.  2,  Hannah  Hawes  to  the  church  in  Sher- 
burne, Mass. 

BAPTISMS  IN  THE  OLD  CHURCH  IN  SURRY 

1769.  Apr.  12,  Chloe  Spencer  dau  of  Joseph,  July  12,  Gaylord  Wilcox  son 
of  Obadiah,  Esq.  Elias  Hayward,  son  of  Peter.  Sept,  28,  Lucinda 
Dart,  dau  of  Joshua  &  Deborah. 

1771.  July  23,  Bethuel  Barron,  son  of  William.  Salla  Raves.  Aug.  20,  Sybil 
Hayward,  dau  of  Peter.  Sept.  22,  Asahel,  Lucy,  Luna  and  Thomas, 
children  of  Thomas  &  Grace  Harvey. 

1772.  Mar.  22,  Pamelia  Dart,  dau  of  Joshua,  Cynthia  Dart,  dau  of  Eliphalet 
and  Lucinda  Field,  dau  of  Moses  D.  June  21,  Eunice  Dart,  dau  of 
Nathaniel.  Aug.  30,  Thankful  Smith,  dau  of  Thomas,  Oct,  28,  Sam- 
uel Smith,  son  of  Samuel.     Nov.  15,  Jonathan  Harvey,  son  of  Thomas, 

1773.  Apr.  11,  Bethia  Barron,  dau  of  William,  Anna  Still,  dau  of  John  and 
Deborah  Dart,  dau  of  Nathaniel, 


1800, 

Jan, 

1805. 

Apr. 

1810. 

Dec. 

1812. 

Feb. 

1820. 

Feb. 

1829. 

Aug, 

1833. 

Nov. 

1823, 

Jan. 

190  History  of  Surry 

1774.  Mar.  30,  Sarah  Field,  dauof  Moses  D.  and  Patience.  Oct,  3,  Daniel 
Dart,  son  of  Joshua  &  Deborah;  Jonathan  Smith,  son  of  Samuel  & 
Deborah. 

1775.  Jan.  22,  Charles  Rice  and  his  sons,  Reuben  and  Timothy. 

1776.  Nov.  3,  Lydia  Wilcox,  dau  of  Obadiah;  Ichabod  Smith,  son  of  Thomas; 
Erastus  Benton,  son  of  Abijah;  Zenas  Field,  son  of  Moses  D.;  Justus 
Smith,  son  of  Samuel. 

1777.  Jan.,  Jonathan  Smith  Skinner,  son  of  Abner;  Jerusha  Field,  dau  of 
Moses  D.;  Orena  Dart,  dau  of  Timothy,  she  is  also  called  Irena.  "Dec. 
25,  Cyrus  Hayward,  son  of  William  &  Sarah;  Obed  Dart,  son  of  Eli- 
phalet  &  Anna;  Roxalana  Smith,  dau  of  Thomas  &  Elizabeth  and  Re- 
becca Benton  dau  of  Abijah  &  Rebecca. 

1780.  Apr.  23,  Mary  Russell,  dau  of  William.  Sept.  7,  Alpheus  Smith,  son 
of  Samuel. 

1781.  Jan.  7,  Silas  Harvey,  son  of  Thomas.  Mar.  18,  Eunice  Field,  dau  of 
Moses  D.,  and  Huldah  Hayward,  dau  of  Nathan.  Apr.  15,  Sarah 
Dort,  dau  of  Thomas,  Jr.  May  3,  Ruhannah  Benton,  dau  of  Abijah. 
May  13,  Isaac  Field,  son  of  Moses  D.     Aug.  12,  Elijah,  Moses,  Betsey 

•     and  Rebecca  Ware,  children  of  Moses;  Betsey  Dart,  dau  of  Roger.    Dec. 
16,  Achsah  Dart,  dau  of  Eliphalet. 

1782.  Feb.  10,  Jerusha  Dart,  dau  of  Thomas,  Jr.  May  26,  Esther  Holmes, 
dau  of  Lemuel,  Lucinda  Dart,  dau  of  Roger.  July  7,  Deborah  Smith, 
dau  of  Samuel.  Aug.  18,  Sarah  Bates,  dau  of  Ford.  Sept.  15,  Experi- 
ence Hayward,  dau  of  Nathan.  Feb.  3,  Leonard  Russell,  son  of  Wil- 
liam.    Nov.  10,  John  Darling,  son  of  Rev.  David. 

1779.  Oct.  24,  Richard  Skinner,  son  of  Abner  &  Susanna,  and  Rhoda  Benton, 
dau  of  Abijah  &  Rebecca. 

1783.  July  6,  Jabez  Crandell,  son  of  Edward.  Sept.  7,  Hannah,  James, 
Nathaniel,  Malta  and  Daniel  Packard  (or  Peekard),  children  of  Sam- 
uel. 

1784.  July  26,  Esther  Darling,  dau  of  David  &  Esther.  Oct.  3,  Joanna  Dart, 
dau  of  Roger  &  Elizabeth. 

1786.  July  5,  Samuel  Bicknel  Holmes,  son  of  Lemuel  &  Abigail;  Isaac  Smith, 
son  of  Samuel  &  Deborah. 

1787.  July  25,  Rhoda  Field,  dau  of  Moses  D.  &  Patience;  Sena  Hayward,  dau 
of  Nathan  &  Sarah;  Horace  Hayward,  son  of  Sylvanus  &  Olive  and 
Elizabeth  Bates,  dau  of  Ford  &  Sarah. 

1788.  Rhoda  Dart,  dau  of  Timothy  &  Margaret. 

1789.  Sept.  13,  Fanny  Darling,  dau  of  David  &  Esther. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  church  Jan.  15,  1794  it  was  voted  to  put  on  the  records 
the  following  names  although  it  does  not  appear  when  and  by  whom  they 
were  baptised: 

Eliphaz  and  Cyrus  Field,  sons  of  Moses  D.;  Asahel  Dart,  son  of  Eli- 
phalet; Joanna  Skinner,  dau  of  Abner;  Mary,  Lovisa,  Eunice,  Prudence 
and  Lucina  Wilcox,  daughters  of  Obadiah. 

1795.  Aug.  9,  Nathan  Hayward,  son  of  Lieut.  Nathan. 
Baptisims  performed  by  Rev,  Perley  Howe: 

1796.  Jan.  24,  Eliphalet,  John  and  Elihu  Dart,  sons  of  Eli  &  Joanna.  May 
22,  Ralston  and  Hannah  Ballock,  children  of  William  &  Jenny;  Luther 
and  Cynthe  Monroe,  children  of  Jonas  &  Cynthia.     July  10,  Lucinda, 


Ecclesiastical  History  191 

Sarah,  Arad,  Ira,  Asa  and  Joanna  Gilbert,  children  of  Ebenezer  & 
Joanna;  Alfred,  Benjamin  and  Sally  Carpenter,  children  of  Benjamin 
&  Ruth.  Aug.  28,  Joanna  Dort,  dau  of  Eli  &  Joanna;  Sybil  Hayward. 
Oct.  9,  Betsey  and  Jinney  Gilmore  McCurdy,  dau's  of  James  &  Mar- 
garet. 

1797.  Aug.  31,  Amasa  Hendee,  son  of  Josiah.  Oct.  27,  David  Ballock,  son  of 
William  &  Jenny. 

1798.  May  6,  Cyrus  Gilbert,  son  of  Ebenezer  &  Joanna.  July  1,  Thankful 
Dort,  dau  of  Eli  &  Joanna.  Aug.  26,  Lynde  McCurdy,  son  of  James  & 
Margaret.  Sept.  2,  Abijah  Benton,  son  of  Abijah  &  Rebecca;  Phebe 
Howe,  dau  of  Rev.  Perley  &  Zeruiah.  Sept.  18,  Nabby  Smith,  dau  of 
Daniel  &  Nabby.  Also,  Charlotte,  Daniel,  James  and  Thankful  Smith, 
children  of  Daniel  &  Nabby. 

Note.  When  Nabby,  the  infant  child  of  Mr.  Smith  was  baptised,  the 
other  children  were  at  Marlow,  but  being  sent  for  they  arrived  in 
the  evening  and  were  then  baptised  for  the  comfort  of  the  dying 
mother. 

1799.  Mar.  3,  John  Norris,  son  of  John  &  Joanna.  Sept.  15,  Asahel  Skinner, 
son  of  Eldad  &  Polly.  Oct.  13,  Willard,  Arathusa,  Rhoda  Roxalana  and 
Prudence  Smith,  children  of  Thomas,  Jr.  &  Arathusa. 

1800.  July  13,  Huldah  Gilbert,  dau  of  Ebenezer  &  Joanna.  Sept.  21,  Azubah 
Dort,  dau  of  Eli  &  Joanna. 

1801.  Mar.  8,  Eliza  Howe,  dau  of  Rev.  Perley  &  Zeruiah.  June  7,  Harry 
Norris,  son  of  John  &  Joanna.  June  14,  Nabby  Ann  Smith,  dau  of 
Daniel  &  Sybil. 

1802.  May  16,  Benjamin  Skinner,  son  of  Eldad  &  Polly.  Nov.  7,  Mina  (or 
Mima)   Dort,  dau  of  Eli  &  Joanna. 

1803.  May  22,  Seth  Carpenter,  son  of  Benjamin  &  Ruth.  June  19,  Tirzah 
Skinner,  dau  of  Eldad  &  Polly.  July  3,  Charlotte  Gilbert,  dau  of  Eben- 
ezer &  Joanna.     Aug.  14,  Sarepta  Smith,  dau  of  Daniel  &  Sybil. 

1804.  May  13,  Obed  Dort,  son  of  Eli  &  Joanna.  Aug.  31,  Patience,  Amos, 
Esther,  Rispah  and  Jerusha  Field,  children  of  Moses  &  Polly.  Sept. 
2,  Nancy  Wheelock,  dau  of  Abigail.  Dec.  2,  Lyman  Norris,  son  of 
John  &  Joawna. 

1807.  June  7,  Jo*^    aa  Norris,  dau  of  John  &  Joanna. 

1808.  June  5,  Jonathan  Howard  Smith,  son  of  Daniel  &  Sybil. 

1810.  Jan.  28,  Alvira  Fuller,  dau  of  Capt.  David  &  Orinda.  Mar.  25,  William 
Bond,  son  or  Capt.  Charles;  Elias  Smith,  son  of  Daniel.  July  1,  Sarah, 
Milton  and  Louisa  Perry,  children  of  Silas  &  Catherine. 

1814.  June  5,  Abigail  Ann  Robinson,  dau  of  Samuel  &  Nancy.  June  26, 
Polly,  Sophronia,  Philo  and  Davenport  Norris,  children  of  Elijah  & 
Anna.  Aug.  4,  Arvilla  Maria  Harvey,  dau  of  Jonathan,  Sr.  &  Rox- 
ana.  Sept.  1,  Sally,  Lova,  Roxa,  George  and  Lucius  Allen,  children  of 
Phinehas  &  Rachel.  Dec.  4,  Luke,  George  and  Caroline  Joslin,  chil- 
dren of  Peter  &  Sarah;  Elizabeth  Maria  Robinson,  dau  of  Samuel  & 
Naficy. 

1815.  Jan.  30,  Sally,  Elizabeth,  John  Jr.,  Samuel,  Thomas,  Nancy,  Richard 
and  Lynde  McCurdy,  children  of  John;  Edmund,  Moses  Wright,  Abi- 
gail and  Ambrose  Wetherbee,  children  of  Edmund  &  Abigail.     Feb.  12, 


192  History  of  Surry 

Lucina  Maria  and  Prescott  Perley  Field,  children  of  Isaac  &  Dorothy. 

1816.  Apr.  7,  Henry  Willard  Smith,  son  of  Willard  &  Betsey.  June  2,  Nancy 
Harvey,  dau  of  Jonathan,  Sr.  &  Roxana.  July  11,  George  Phinehas 
Wetherbee,  son  of  Edmund  &  Abigail. 

1817.  Sept.  4,  Stephen  Smith,  son  of  widow  Sybil. 

1818.  Emily  Edna  Robinson,  dau  of  Samuel  &  Nancy;  Mary  Elizabeth  Smith, 
dau  of  Willard  &  Betsey.  Oct.  11,  Betsey  Maria  Chapin,  dau  of  David 
&  Betsey. 

1819.  July  18,  Louisa  Jane  Field,  dau  of  Isaac  &  Dolly  (Dorothy). 

1820.  Sept.  3,  Susan  Jennett  Robinson,  dau  of  Samuel  &  Nancy. 

1821.  July  1,  Fanny  Hall  Harvey,  dau  of  Asahel  &  Elizabeth.  Sept.  2,  Wil- 
liam Winchester  and  Moses  Webster  Emery,  children  of  Moses  &  Cjm« 
thia. 

1823.  July  6,  Nancy  Robinson,  dau  of  Samuel  &  Nancy;  Fanny  Watts  Crane, 
dau  of  Joshua  &  Rebecca. 

1826.  Jan.  1,  Sophronia  Almeda  Harvey,  dau  of  Jonathan,  Jr.  &  Persis. 
May  7,  Nathan  Gardner  Hayward,  son  of  Nathan  &  Prudence.  July 
30,  Jane,  John  Thomas  and  Samuel  Hunt  May,  children  of  widow  Mary. 
Aug.  20,  Eunice,  Nancy  and  Harvey  Ballou,  children  of  Dea.  Ichabod 
&  Eunice. 

1827.  Oct.  7,  Lucia  Maria  Hayward,  dau  of  Nathan  &  Prudence. 

1828.  Sept.  7,  Samuel  Hills  Robinson,  son  of  Samuel  &  Nancy;  Sarah  and 
Mary  Hills,  daughters  of  Benjamin  &  Bordicea. 

1829.  July  5,  George  Kimball  Harvey,  son  of  Jonathan,  Jr.,  &  Eliza.  Sept. 
13,  Sarah  Barnes  and  Eliza  Howe  Petts,  children  of  Dr.  John  &  Phebe. 

1830.  Sept.  5,  Francis  Baxter  Harvey,  son  of  widow  Mary. 

1831.  July  3,  James  Howe  Harvey,  son  of  Jonathan,  Jr.  &  Eliza.  Sept.  4, 
Sarah  Whitcomb,  dau  of  Silas  &  Abigail;  Cyrus  Henry  and  Elmina 
Jane  Bemis,  children  of  Cyrus  &  Elmina;  William  and  Obed  Oilman 
Dort,  children  of  Eliphalet  &  Lois. 

1832.  Sept.  16,  Lydia  Eliza  Daggett,  dau  of  Otis. 

1833.  July  7,  Mary  Elizabeth  Dort,  dau  of  Eliphalet  &  Lois;  Persis  Eliza 
Harvey,  dau  of  Jonathan,  Jr.  &  Eliza. 

1835.  July  2,  Mary  Isadore  Robinson,  dau  of  Capt.  Samuel  &  Nancy. 

1836.  May  1,  Martha  Jane  Daggett,  dau  of  Otis;  Sarah  Barnes  Harvey,  dau 
of  Jonathan,  Jr.  &  Eliza. 

THE  MINISTER'S  TAX 

The  men  who  emigrated  to  this  country  to  escape  religious  persecution  in- 
corporated their  own  religious  views  into  their  laws;  when  the  laws  of  New 
Hampshire  were  enacted,  no  one  objected  to  the  plan  of  supporting  the  gos- 
pel by  tax;  the  services  of  the  Christian  religion  were  expected  to  be  main- 
tained and  supported  in  the  same  manner  as  civil  offices.  But  the  descend- 
ants of  those  emigrants  became  dissatisfied  with  the  law,  and  there  was  dis- 
cord, trouble  and  turmoil  in  nearly  all  the  New  England  towns  for  years. 
We  early  find  it  in  this  town: 

Jan.  21,  1773  voted  "to  abate  all  the  rates  that  have  been  made  or 
voted  on  Job  Gleson  or  ever  Shall  be  and  that  wee  will  never  rate  Sd 


Ecclesiastical  History  193 

Gleson  for  the  futer  towarde  building  or  repairin  or  Sweeping  Sd 
meeting  house  or  Seetling  or  hiring  or  maintaining  of  ministers  So  long 
as  he  continues  to  be  of  the  baptist  perswation  and  that  wee  will  refund 
back  to  the  Sd  Gleson  the  Sum  of  £1-18-8  -  -  -  -  to  be  improved 
toward  supporting  a  School  in  Sd  town." 

This  was  the  first  of  many  "protests"  that  were  made  by  various  people  in 
town,  who  were  not  of  the  same  "persuasion"  as  the  minister. 

Aug.  27,  1804  it  was  voted  to  re-pay  the  following  who  had  been  taxed  for 
the  support  of  Mr.  Howe:  Abel  Allen,  Abel  Allen  Jr.,  Benjamin  Merrifield, 
J.  Cheever  Fowler,  John  Marvin,  Asa  Hancock,  Levi  Hancock,  Oliver  Wright 
and  Elizer  Wright,  all  of  whom  stated  they  were  of  the  Baptist  faith.  Also 
those  of  the  Episcopalion  faith :  Capt.  Simon  Baxter,  Capt.  Thomas  Harvey, 
John  Stiles.  These  were  also  excused:  benjamin  Carpenter,  Amasa  Carpen- 
ter and  Asa  Hancock  Jr. 

"Protests"  similar  to  the  one  below  are  frequently  found  among  the  Surry 
town  records : 

"To  the  Selectmen  of  the  Town  of  Surry. 
This  certifies  that  I  belong  to  the  free  Religious  Society  in  Walpole.     I 
therefore   Protest  against  paying  taxes  to  Perley   Howe  or  any  other 
minister  in  Surry.     I  therefore  forbid  the  said  Selectmen  or  any  other 
person  making  any  Salary  or  Ministerial  taxes  against  Me  or  my  prop-, 
erty  forever  from  this  time  henceforth. 
Surry,  March  14th,  1820.  Sylvester  Smith." 

July  16,  1800  Rev.  Perley  Howe  received  of  the  town  $466.66,  it  being  his 
salary  for  the  years  1797  &  1798.  The  next  day  he  received  his  salary  for 
1799 — $233.33.  His  annual  salary,  though  seldom  paid  when  due,  remained 
at  this  sum  till  1815  or  later. 

The  year  1803  contained  as  long  a  list  of  salary  tax  payers  as  any  year 
and  is  given  on  page  207. 

At  the  June  session  of  the  New  Hampshire  legislature  in  1819  the  church 
and  state  were  by  law  separated,  thus  making  it  illegal  to  raise  money  by 
taxation  in  New  Hampshire  to  support  preaching. 

Capt.  Elijah  Fuller  represented  Surry  and  Gilsum  at  the  session  when  this 
bill  was  passed.  It  is  said  that  "just  before  the  vote  was  taken  Elijah's  old 
minister,  Rev.  Perley  Howe,  called  on  him  and  with  tears  in  his  eyes,  be- 
sought him  not  to  vote  to  starve  the  ministers.  He  replied  that  the  ministers 
must  look  to  voluntary  contribution  for  support." 

It  took  some  years  for  the  people  to  realize  that  the  support  of  religion 
should  and  ought  to  be  separate  from  state  authority,  and  left  to  the  volun- 
tary contribution  of  the  people.  To  the  minister  in  Surry,  who  had  been  in 
charge  of  this  church  and  people  for  over  two  decades  it  seemed  a  sad  calam- 
ity. But  he  bowed  to  the  inevitable,  and  Apr.  17,  1820,  at  his  own  request  he 
was  "dismissed  from  his  ministerial  services  in  this  town,"  and  it  was  voted 
to  settle  and  pay  him  in  full  to  date.  He  was  therefore  released  from  all 
further  obligations  to  the  town,  and  dependent  on  the  church  for  his  salary. 


13 


194  History  of  Surry 

REV.  PERLEY  HOWE 

He  was  a  native  of  Marlboro,  Mass.,  and  at  the  time'  of  his  death  was  in 
his  79th  year.  He  graduated  from  Dartmouth  college  in  1790,  and  was  soon 
led  to  the  studies  of  the  sacred  profession;  he  commenced  his  ministerial  du- 
ties in  Surry  in  1794.  His  letter  of  acceptance  to  his  "call"  to  this  place  shows 
that  he  was  a  man  of  scholarly  attainments  as  well  as  an  earnest  christian 
preacher. 

To  the  Church  &  Society  in  Surry; — 

Beloved:  Having  received  an  Invitation  to  Settle  with  you  in  the 
work  of  the  gospel  ministry  I  have  given  your  requests  that  attention 
which  the  importance  of  its  object  demands  -----  To  perform 
this  work  acceptably  requires  the  greatest  fortitude  &  prudence,  the 
greatest  faithfulness,  and  the  most  active  and  persevering  diligence 
_  _  _  .  .  When  I  thus  consider,  it  eventually  appears  to  be  my 
part  to  engage  with  you  in  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministery  -  -  -  - 
that  friendship  &  harmony  may  bless  our  connection.  At  the  same 
time  I  earnestly  entreat  you  to  remember  that  the  ministry  of  the  word 
is  committed  unto  earthern  vessels  -----  that  the  ambassa- 
dors of  Christ  in  common  with  other  men  are  subject  to  imperfection 
-  -  -  -  -  Should  I  therefore  ever  inadvertently  depart  from  the 
truth  in  sentiments  or  practice  it  will  be  your  part  not  speedily  to  con- 
demn, but  to  be  ready  to  extend  to  me  the  restoring  hand  of  Christ. 

Parley  Howe. 

P.  S.  As  my  friends  live  at  a  distance,  and  as  I  shall  wish  yearly  to 
visit  them,  I  must  therefore  take  the  liberty  to  reserve  three  Sabbaths 
in  a  year  to  my  self.  P.  Howe. 

That  Rev.  Perley  Howe  was  the  unanimous  choice  of  the  people  is  seen  by 
the  following  certificate: 

These  may  certify  that  at  a  meeting  of  the  Legal  voters  of  the  town  of 
Surry  legally  warned  and  duly  holden  January  21st,  1795  for  the  purpose  of 
settling  Mr.  Perley  Howe  as  their  minister  there  were  forty  two  who  voted  to 
give  Mr.  Howe  Seventy  pounds  annually  so  long  as  he  shall  continue  to  be 
their  minister  as  recorded  on  the  Town  Book. 

Another  certificate  under  the  same  date  states  that  forty-nine  voters  were 
the  most  that  ever  assembled  in  Town  meeting,  and  those  were  ones  who 
voted  for  the  Governor  at  the  annual  town  meeting  in  1795. 

Jan.  28,  1795,  "Voted  that  the  yearly  salary  to  Said  Mr.  Perley  How  Be 
Seventy  pounds  yearly  if  he  should  be  settled  as  a  gospel  Minister  in  Said 
Surry  as  long  as  he  continues  to  be  their  Minister,  thirty  five  pounds  to  be 
paid  in  Cash  yearly  &  thirty  five  pounds  to  be  paid  in  Wheat,  Rye,  Indian 
corn,  pork,  beef,  butter  or  flax  at  cash  price  yearly  as  long  as  he  is  minister 
for  the  town  of  Surry,  and  the  improvement  of  a  personage  worth  one  Hun- 
dred and  fifty  pounds.  Said  personage  to  be  procured  within  two  years  from 
the  time  of  Settlement,  and  till  such  time  as  said  personage  is  procured,  said 
town  to  allow  &  pay  said  Mr.  Perley  How  the  Interest  of  said  sum  yearly  till 


Ecclesiastical  History 


195 


said  personage  is  procured — and  in  case  said  personage  should  Cost  more 
than  one  Hundred  &  Fifty  pounds  or  Less  than  one  Hundred  and  fifty  pounds, 
to  adjust  the  matter  with  said  How  as  the  case  may  be,  and  sd  personage  to 
be  and  Remain  the  property  of  the  purchasers  and  their  Heirs  and  assigns 
for  ever  and  each  person  shall  Be  Considered  as  a  purchaser  who  shall  pay 
their  Respective  proportion  of  said  personage  according  to  their  Respective 
pole  or  Ratable  Estate. 

The  yearly  sallary  to  be  Equal  to  two  Hundred  and  thirty-three  Dollars  & 
thirty-three  cents  &  one  third  of  a  cent,  and  the  worth  of  the  personage  to 
five  Hundred  Dollars." 

Church  records  and  all  books  kept  by  Rev.  Howe  show  that  he  was  a  schol- 
arly and  cultivated  man.  He  served  on  the  school  committee;  was  the  orig- 
inator of  the  first  Library  Society  in  town,  and  was  interested  and  took  an 
intelligent  interest  in  all  town  matters. 

It  could  hardly  be  expected  that  so  long  a  pastorate  could  be  wholly  har- 
monious and  without  discord.  There  were  Methodists  as  well  as  Baptists  and 
other  denominations  represented  in  the  congregation  to  which  the  same  min- 
ister was  expected  to  preach.  There  were  controversies  and  heated  discus- 
sions; as  a  minister  Rev.  Perley  Howe  was  frequently  the  object  of  attack. 
As  a  man  and  citizen  he  had  the  respect  and  confidence  of  everyone  in  town. 

At  his  funeral,  Rev.  Abiel  A.  Livermore  of  Keene,  who  conducted  the  ser- 
vice, chose  his  text  from  Num.  xxiii-10  "Let  me  die  the  death  of  the  right- 
eous, and  let  my  last  end  be  like  his!"     See  family  Record. 


Sacred 

to  the  memory  of 

REV. 

PERLEY   HOWE 

Who  died  Oct. 

20,  1840  in  the  79th 

year 

of 

his  age 

&  46th 

of  his  ministry. 

Blessed 

are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord. 

ORTHODOX  CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH 

Six  months  after  Rev.  Perley  Howe  was  dismissed  a  new  organization  was 
formed.     We  have  this  record : 

"Agreeable  to  letters  missive  from  Mr.  Albert  Brown  in  behalf  of 
others  in  Surry,  an  Ecclesiastical  Council  was  convened  at  the  house  of 
Capt.  Samuel  Robinson  in  Surry,  May  6,  1837  at  9  o'clock  A.  M.  to  take 
into  consideration  the  circumstances  of  the  church  in  Surry  and  the 
members  of  other  churches  who  reside  in  that  town,  that  wish  to  enter 
into  a  church  state  in  Surry,  either  to  reoi'ganize  the  church  or  to  or- 
ganize a  new  one  as  may  be  deemed  expedient. 

There  were  present  the  following  ministers  and  delegates.  Rev.  Allen 
Pratt  of  Westmoreland,  Rev.  Z.   S.   Barstow  &   Dea.  J.   W.  Briggs  of 


196 


History  of  Surry 


Keene,  Rev.  Moses  Gerould  &  Bro.  Stephen  Holbrook  of  East  Alstead, 
Rev.  Darwin  Adams  &  Dea.  James  Newell  of  Alstead. 

and  the  church  and  the  members  of  other  churches  present 

renewed  covenant  as  proposed   (except  that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Howe  did  not 
join  in  it)  and  they  were  pronounced  a  Church. 

MEMBERS  admitted  May  6,  1837.    (From  the  old  church  in   Surry 
except  as  otherwise  stated) 


Allen.  Eunice 

Allen.  Hannah  from  Gilsum 

Allen.  Rachel 

Bemis.  Elmina 

Blake.  Miss  Sally  from  Keene 

Brown.  Albert  from  Rindge 

Crane.  Mrs.  Fannie 

Crane.  Ichabod 

Darling.  Daniel  from  Keene 

Darling.  Mrs.  Theodosia 

from   Keene. 
Dort.  Dea.  Eli 
Dort.  Eliphalet 
Dort.  Mrs.  Lois    (Bemis) 


Dort.  Sarah 
Fisher.  Samuel  B. 
Harvey.  Eliza  from   Cambridgeport 
Harvey.  Elizabeth 
Harvey.  Mary  from  Alstead 
Hills.  Mrs.  Dicea 

Holbrook.  Mrs.    Abigail    by   profes- 
sion 
Holbrook.  Hannah  from  Alstead. 
Joslin.  Elizabeth    S. 
Joslin.  Mrs.  Sarah 
Norris.  Elijah 
Robinson.  Mary 
Robinson.  Nancy 
Whitcomb.  Abigail 


MEMBERS    1837-1875 


Abbott.  Lucy  Sept.  2,  1860 

Allen.   George  July,   1837 

(Dismissed  to  Keene  July  6,  1845) 
Allen.  Mrs.  Nancy  R.      May  2,  1841 

(Dismissed  to  Keene  July  6,  1845) 
Allen.  Rachel  Jan.   14,   1839 

(Died  Nov.  26,  1852— aged  92) 
Allen.  Roseanna  Jan.  9,  1848 

(Dismissed  April  24,  1852  to  church  in  Keene) 
Allen.  Roxanna  Mar.  11,  1838 


From  church  in  Keene 
By  profession 

By  profession 

By  profession 

From  church  in  Keene 


From    church 

Mass. 
By  profession 


in    Lowell, 


Ballou.   Ichabod  May  7,  1843 

Feb.  12,  1847 — because  of  misconduct  in  meetings,  use  of  intoxicants  etc. 
— dropped  from  fellowship.) 
Blake.  Mrs.  Abigail  C.     Mar.   12,  1840 


Brown.   Abigail  W. 


Sept.  9,  1838 


Brown.  Widow  Mercy      Jan.  9,  1848 
Carter.   Sally  Sept.  22,  1850 

(Soon  removed  to  the  West.) 
Davids.  Eleanor  M.  From  church  in  Keene  May 

(Mrs,  Church.     Dismissed  to  Hinsdale  Apr.  5,  1846.) 


From  church  in  Winchen- 
don,  Mass. 

From  church  in  East  Al- 
stead 

By  profession 

By  profession 


1840 


Ecclesiastical  History  197 

Dort.  Obed  Jan.  1838  By  profession 

Fisher.  Milla  Jan.  11,  1839  From  church  in  Keene 

Griffin.  Asa  May,  1840  From  church  in  Walpole. 

(Dismissed  to  church  in  Keene  Oct.  27,  1844.) 
Hill.  Harriet  B.  Nov.,  1837  By  profession 

Hurd.   Lydia  July  2,  1843  From    church    in    Spring- 

field, Vt. 

(Dismissed  to  Chester,  Vt.  Mar.  1853.) 
Jones.    Betsey  Jan.  2,  1859  By  profession 

Joslin.  Ellen  M.  Jan.  14,  1839 

Robinson.  Emily  E.  Nov.,   1837 

Robinson.    Nancy    L.        May  2,  1841 
Shelly.  Rowena  July,    1837  "  " 

(Dismissed  to  Keene  June  7,  1846.) 
Stone.  Rebecca  F.  July,  1837 

Whitcomb.   Rebecca  Mar.  11,  1838 

Woodward.  Edmund         Nov.,  1837  "  " 

Woodward.   Mary  Nov.,   1837 

Wyman.  Clarinda  Nov.  8,  1846  From  church  in   Dublin. 

From  the  organization  of  the  new  church,  May  6,  1837  until  January  10, 
1839  Eliphalet  Dort  was  clerk  nominally,  but  he  lapsed  from  the  Orthodox 
faith — joined  the  Unitarian  church  then  being  formed  in  town — and  when 
his  records  of  the  Orthodox  church  were  sought  "only  the  blank  book  could 
be  found,  and  the  records  are  therefore  incomplete." 

In  Sept.  1837  the  town  voted  to  appropriate  the  meetinghouse  one  third  of 
the  time  to  the  Methodists,  and  one  third  to  the  Universalists,  thus  leaving 
but  one  Sabbath  in  three  when  the  Orthodox  society  could  use  it.  This  decree 
caused  dissatisfaction  among  the  members  of  the  newly  organized  Congrega- 
tional society,  and  so  steps  were  taken  for  the  buil'ding  of  a  new  church  after 
several  unsuccessful  efforts  to  regain  the  use  of  the  meetinghouse. 

In  Sept.  1838  pastors  of  all  the  surrounding  towns  met  in  Surry  to  dis- 
cuss the  situation,  and  decided  to  aid  the  church  in  building  if  it  should  be 
necessary. 

THE   "CRANE    MEETINGHOUSE" 

In  1838  Otis  Daggett  conveyed  to  Ichabod  Crane  a  plot  of  land  142  feet 
south  of  the  school  house  lot  and  70  feet  deep  from  the  wall.  On  this  site 
was  built  the  new  meetinghouse,  Mr.  Crane,  not  only  contributing  liberally  in 
labor,  but  also,  in  large  measure,  financing  the  erection  of  the  building.  The 
dedication  took  place  Oct.  9,  1839. 

The  author  of  this  history  has  been  disappointed  in  not  being  able  to  learn 
something  further  as  to  the  raising  of  this  church  and  the  exercises  attend- 
ant upon  its  dedication.  ' 

From  a  slip  of  paper,  undated,  it  would  appear  that  a  subscription  paper 
was  circulated  to  purchase  the  horse-sheds  from  Ichabod  Crane : 


198  History  of  Surry 

A  true  copy  of  a  subscription  paper  to  buy  the  new  meetinghouse, 
thirteen  sheds,  all  the  land  together  with  all  the  property  thereto  be- 
longing except  two  slips  and  one  shed. 

We,  the  subscribers  severally  agree  to  pay  the  amount,  etc. 


Francis  Holbrook 

50.00 

and  to  have  the  slip  he  occupies. 

Josiah  Kingsbury 

10.00 

Elijah    Holbrook 

10.00 

Edmund  Woodward 

10.00 

George  Blake 

10.00 

§90.00 

It   appears   Dea.   Crane   finally  conveyed  the   property  to   the   Home 
Missionary  Society; 

Surry,  Dec.  5,  1859.     This  is  to  certify  that  I  have  sold  the  new  meet- 
ing house,  land  and  sheds  to  the  Home  Missionary  Society. 

(Signed)  Ichabod  Crane,  Clerk. 

This  church  building  has  been  changed  but  very  little  since  it  was  built 
with  the  exception  of  lowering  the  pulpit  two  or  three  feet.  Necessary  re- 
pairs have  been  made  from  time  to  time. 

The  church  used  to  be  nearly  full  on  pleasant  Sundays  in  1855.  Both  the 
Congregationalists  and  Methodists  held  services  here. 

In  connection  with  the  Congregational  services,  the  singers  were  Capt. 
Eliphalet  Dort,  Edmund  Woodward,  Mrs.  John  Joslin  and  Mrs.  William 
Carpenter.  Capt.  Dort  had  a  small  melodeon  which  he  took  to  church  each 
Sunday  in  a  trunk,  and  his  daughter  Mary  (Dort)  Ware  played  it  for  many 
years. 


MEN  WHO  PREACHED 

March  23,  1840.  Voted  to  call  Reverend  Ezra  Adams  as  pastor  and  teacher; 
to  offer  $300.  as  his  salary  provided  the  N.  H.  Missionary  Society  aid  to  the 
amount  of  flOO,  Apr.  29  this  call  was  accepted,  and  the  ordination  took 
place.  Nov.  4,  1841  accepted  the  resignation  of  pastor;  he  was  still  to  work 
as  much  as  possible. 

From  Nov.  1841  till  April  1842  Rev.  Joel  Wright  acted  as  pastor. 

From  July  1,  1842  until  May  1845  Rev.  Elihu  Smith,  who  came  here  from 
Chesterfield,  was  pastor.  Mar.  9,  1843  voted  that  Rev.  Elihu  Smith  be  re- 
quested to  act  as  pastor  in  all  respects  the  same  as  he  would  were  he  placed 
over  this  church  in  the  usual  way. 

Rev.  Elihu  Smith  closed  his  pastorate  in  May  1845,  and,  on  the  first  of 
June,  Rev.  John  P.  Perry  began  his  labors.  He  was  a  young  man,  single  and 
partially  blind.  While  here  he  lived  in  the  house  next  north  of  the  house  that 
in  recent  years  has  been  used  as  the  parsonage. 

He  remained  one  month  over  two  years,  and  was  succeeded  by  two  ministers 
of  the  Methodist  faith.  Rev.  Charles  Greenwood  who  remained  until  June  1848, 


Ecclesiastical  History  199 

and  was  followed  by  Rev.  Loi'enzo  Draper  who  remained  until  the  middle  of 
May  1850. 

Several  supplied  the  church  during  the  next  few  months;  Rev.  Samuel 
Parti'idge  for  three  months;  Rev.  Henry  Kendall  for  two  months;  Rev.  Jack- 
son Howard  for  three  months;  Rev.  Wilson  A.  Farnsworth  for  one  month. 
For  one  year  Rev.  Ira  Carter  and  Rev.  Abram  Tileston,  both  of  Walpole, 
moved  into  town  and  alternated  in  preaching.  In  May  1853  Rev.  Tileston 
moved  into  town  and  continued  as  pastor  of  the  church  until  Jan.  20,  1855, 
although  he  changed  his  residence  to  Keene  in  Nov.  1854.  While  in  Surry  he 
lived  in  an  old  house  on  the  meadow  near  the  angle  in  the  road,  north  of  where 
Victor  Lamminen  lives  (1920). 

It  is  not  known  who  supplied  the  church  for  the  next  few  months,  but  in 
May  Rev.  John  Clough,  a  Methodist  minister,  moved  into  town  and  began 
preaching,  and  remained  until  June  1856. 

For  the  next  two  years  there  is  no  record  of  a  settled  pastor,  but  several 
men  preached  for  short  periods;  Rev.  Newell  Culver  was  here  in  both  1856 
and  1857;  for  a  while  Rev.  Abram  Tileston  returned  and  preached  every  other 
Sabbath,  and  Rev.  Ezra  Adams,  then  of  Gilsum,  returned  to  his  old  flock  every 
other  Sunday  at  5  P.  M.  during  the  summer. 

From  August  to  November  1858  Rev.  Daniel  Adams,  who  was  a  missionary 
from  Bangor,  Me.,  preached,  and  then  until  1862  thei-e  were  different  minis- 
tei's  every  little  while.  Rev.  Andrew  Fosdick  preached  for  three  months  after 
Aug.  1859,  and  was  followed  by  other  ministers  until  Apr.  15,  1860,  when 
Rev.  Lyman  Colver,  an  old  gentleman  from  Pottersville,  began  supplying  the 
pulpit.  He  remained  three  months,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Edward 
Abbott  who  preached  one  year  and  left  in  Apr.  1861. 

Rev.  Kilburn,  an  old  man,  from  Keene,  preached  in  the  spring  of  1862;  he 
was  a  Methodist  minister.  Rev.  Leonard  Tracy  and  Rev.  Joseph  Fawcett, 
both  Methodists,  also  preached  during  1862. 

May  15,  1864  Rev.  Shattuck,  a  young  man,  began  preaching,  and  remained 
pastor  until  May,  1866.  Rev.  A.  M.  Griswold  of  Washington  succeeded  him. 
Apr.  21,  1867  Rev.  Joseph  Fawcett  commenced  preaching  to  both  Methodists 
and  Orthodox  "for  one  year."  He  remained  nearly  three,  preaching  his  fare- 
well sermon  on  March  25,  1871.  Then  Rev.  Nims,  a  young  man  from  Sulli- 
van, supplied  the  pulpit  for  about  three  months  and  was  followed  by  Rev. 
John  Henry  Allen,  a  son  of  Rev.  Joseph  Allen  of  Surry. 

Rev.  Love  joy  of  Keene  preached  for  five  months,  and  was  followed  by  Rev. 
Parker  also  of  Keene.  Rev.  Charles  Houghton  of  Marlborough  preached  for 
six  months  during  the  winter  of  1874.  Rev.  David  B.  Murray  also  supplied 
the  pulpit  in  1874. 

Between  1875  and  1890  there  are  no  records  in  existence,  and  the  church 
was  closed  part  of  the  time. 

CHURCH  RECORDS  1840-1852 

1841.     Dismissed  Deacon  Brown  &  wife  to  church  in  Dedham,  Me. 

Mar.  2,  1844.  Voted  letter  of  recommendation  to  Mrs.  Nancy  &  Miss  Nancy 
Robinson. 

Mar.  2,  1844.  Voted  that  whereas  common  fame  says  that  Samuel  B. 
Fisher,  a  member  of  this  church,  has  been  guilty  of  breaking  open  a  house 


200  History  of  Surry 

and  taking  and  converting  the  property  not  his  own  to  his  own  use,  and  has 
fled  to  parts  unknown — etc. — dropped  from  fellowship. 

June  3,  1844.  Daniel  Darling  resigned  as  Deacon  in  May.  In  June  it  was 
unanimously  voted  to  suspend  him  from  membership.  In  Aug.  it  was  dis- 
covered that  Daniel  and  his  wife  Theodosia  had  come  into  the  church  in  an 
irregular  manner — his  discipline  was  given  up  to  Keene  church  to  which  he 
belonged. 

Jan.  9,  1848.  Fanny  Harvey,  that  was,  now  Fanny  Britton,  united  with  the 
church  1852.     Letter  of  dismission  to  Mrs.  Fisher  to  Keene. 

Biographical  notes  regarding  a  few  of  the  pastors  here  between  1840  and 
1920. 

Rev.  EZRA  ADAMS  graduated  from  Amherst  College  in  1835,  and  at  East 
Windsor  Theological  Seminary  in  1838.  He  was  ordained  in  Surry  Apr.  29, 
1840,  and  this  was  his  first  settled  pastorate.  Gilsum  Town  History  has  a 
more  extended  account  of  him,  and  also  his  picture. 

Rev.  ELIHU  SMITH,  b.  in  Granby,  Mass.,  Mar.  21,  1777,  was  a  graduate 
of  Dartmouth  College.  He  was  installed  in  Chesterfield,  May  23,  1832,  and 
dismissed  Dec.  2,  1834.  He  held  pastorates  also  in  Vermont,  and  was  neai'ly 
70  years  old  when  he  came  to  Surry  in  1843. 

Rev.  WILLIAM  S.  ANDERSON  was  b.  in  Belfast,  Ireland  in  1870.  While 
pastor  of  the  church  hei-e  he  commenced  studies  at  Mount  Hermon  School. 

*  "Rev.  W.  S.  Anderson,  lately  pastor  of  the  Congregational  church 
in  Surry,  and  well  known  in  this  city,  has  returned  from  a  trip  to  Ire- 
land, and  will  be  in  Keene  and  vicinity  for  a  few  days.  He  was  mar- 
ried while  abroad  to  Miss  Minnie  Wearing,  daughter  of  John  Wearing, 
Esq.,  of  Derriaughy,  Ireland,  near  Lispurn.  Mr.  &  Mrs.  Anderson  had 
an  exciting  homeward  trip,  being  aboard  the  steamer  City  of  Rome 
which  came  near  floundering  at  sea  by  coming  into  collision  with  an  ice 
berg." 

Rev.  WILLIAM  F.  WHITCOMB  was  b.  in  Claremont,  Oct.  16,  1873;  grad- 
uated from  Dartmouth  College  1897,  and  from  Hartford,  Conn.  Theological 
seminary.     He  came  to  Surry  in  1900  and  remained  six  years. 

Rev.  Morton  W.  Hale,  b.  Aug.  9,  1876,  in  Winchendon,  Mass.;  graduated 
from  Hitchcock  Free  High  School  in  Brimfield,  Mass.,  June  1894;  from  Lay 
college,  Bible  Training  School,  Revere,  Mass.,  1898;  later  took  a  special 
course  at  Boston  University  School  of  Theology.  He  has  held  the  following 
pastorates:  The  Christian  Church,  Lincoln,  Vt.,  1898-1901;  the  Cong.  Church, 
Sudbury,  Vt.,  Oct.  1901-July  1904;  ordained  Oct.  6,  1903;  the  Cong.  Church, 
Dover,  Mass.,  1904-1905;  the  Cong  Church,  Surry,  N.  H.,  May  1,  1906-May  1, 
1909;  the  Cong.  Church,  Bridgewater,  Vt.,  May  1909-Sept.  1910;  the  Cong. 
Church,  Coventry,  Vt.,  Oct.  1910-Feb.  1915;  the  Cong.  Church,  Cabot,  Vt., 
Mar.  1,  1915—. 

Rev.  Henry  S.  Kimball  held  the  longest  pastorate  in  Surrj%  of  any  pastor 
in  recent  years.  He  was  born  in  Candia,  and  for  a  time,  in  his  younger  days, 
was  a  clerk  in  a  Manchester  dry  goods  store,  but  later  studied  for  the  minis- 
try and  was  ordained.  He  was  pastor  in  Troy  11  years,  and  then  came  here 
in  1909.  At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  church  in  1915  he  was  voted  a  paid 
vacation  of  three  weeks.     He  lived  but  six  weeks  after,  and  died  at  the  Bos- 


*Keene   Sentinel,    Oct.   4,    l^di). 


Ecclesiastical  History  201 

ton  State  hospital  Jan.  26,  1916.  He  was  a  strong  temperance  man,  and  had 
won  his  way  into  the  hearts  of  his  people  here.  His  genial  manners,  native 
wit  and  wholesome  fun  made  him  a  real  and  valued  contributor  in  the  church 
social  gatherings  and  other  occasions  of  a  public  nature. 

In  the  pulpit  he  had  a  style  peculiarly  his  own.  His  illustrations  were 
clear  and  to  the  point,  his  language  lucid  and  simple. 

His  last  sermon  was  preached  Dec.  19,  1915,  and  while  it  had  been  known 
that  he  had  been  in  failing  health  for  some  time  it  was  not  realized  that  the 
end  was  so  near.  So  far  as  known  he  was  the  only  pastor  among  the  many 
pastors  connected  with  the  Surry  church  to  die  while  in  service. 

Frederick  C.  Hunt  came  to  Surry  in  May  1916,  and  severed  his  connection 
with  the  church  Sept.  20,  1918  to  enter  the  Bangor  Theological  seminary. 

He  was  born  May  13,  1875  in  London,  Eng.,  and  is  a  brother  of  the  late 
Rev.  Arthur  C.  Hunt,  who  was  pastor  of  the  church  in  Gilsum  at  the  time 
Frederick  C.  was  preaching  here. 

Rev.  James  F.  Scott  supplied  here  during  much  of  1918-21.  He  res.  at  Til- 
ton,  N.  H.,  at  that  time  and  was  with  the  N.  H.  Congl.  Conference. 

Rev.  Eric  W.  Bascom,  a  student  from  Langdon,  supplied  this  and  East  Al- 
stead  churches  during  the  summer  of  1921. 

Rev.  Arthur  A.  Muir  of  Keene  preached  from  Apr.  1,  1922  until  Apr,  1923. 

During  Rev.  Mr.  Whitcomb's  pastorate  the  interior  of  the  church  building 
was  renovated,  walls  newly  papered,  new  carpet,  new  heating  apparatus,  and 
the  whole  interior  painted.  Enough  money  was  raised  by  subscription  to  pay 
for  all  this,  and  there  was  $27  besides. 

Rev.  William  F.  Whitcomb  remained  pastor  until  1906,  and  on  April  24th 
of  that  year  it  was  voted  to  call  Rev.  Morton  W.  Hale,  who  stayed  till  May 
1909. 

July  1,  1909,  Rev.  Henry  S.  Kimball  of  Troy  became  pastor,  and  remained 
in  charge  until  his  death  in  Feb.  1916. 

Frederick  C.  Hunt  from  Raleigh,  N.  C,  began  his  duties  May  21,  1916,  re- 
maining three  years.  April  1,  1922  Rev.  Arthur  A.  Muir  of  Keene  has  sup- 
plied the  pulpit. 

A  Sunday  School  was  organized  in  May,  1890. 

THE  ABIGAIL  CARPENTER  MEMORIAL  FUND 

Mrs.  Marietta  (Carpenter)  Wright,  whose  birthplace  was  Surry,  and  whose 
summer  home  was  here  till  the  time  of  her  death  in  1919,  left  to  the  town  the 
sum  of  five  thousand  dollars,  the  income  of  which  is  to  be  used  for  the  sup- 
port of  preaching.  This  bequest  was  a  memorial  to  her  mother,"  Abigail 
(White)  Carpenter. 

THE  LADIES'  AID 
There  has  been  a  Ladies'  Aid  Society  connected  with  the  church  for  many 
years  and  it  has  contributed  money  each  year  for  church  expenses.     At  pres- 
ent there  are  about  twenty  members.     Officers   1923 :      Mrs.   I.  Alice   Crain, 
Acting  Pres.     Miss  Grace  M.  Crain,  Secy.-Treas. 

Y.  P.  S.  C.  E. 
A  Young  People  Society  was  organized  as  early  as  July  1901  which  did 
good  work  until  disbanded  about  Jan.  1,  1918. 


202  History  of  Surry 

THE  BAPTIST   SOCIETY 

The  following  is  a  petition  for  the  incorporation  of  a  Baptist  society  in 
Westmoreland,  addressed  to  the  General  Court,  June  4,  1800. 

"Humbly  Shew  Your  Petitioners,  Inhabitants  of  the  Towns  of  Westmore- 
land, Walpole,  Surry  and  Keene,  Proffessors  of  Religion  by  the  Denomination 
of  Baptists — That  for  many  years  past  they  have  assembled  togather  for 
public  worship  as  a  Baptist  Society:  and  for  the  more  orderly  and  regular 
management  of  the  same — pray  that  they,  with  such  others  as  may  hereafter 
be  admitted  as  members,  may  be  incorporated  into  a  religious  society  to  be 
called  and  known  by  the  name  of  the  FIRST  BAPTIST  SOCIETY  IN  WEST- 
MORELAND with  sufficient  power  and  authority  to  support  and  settle  a 
minister — to  build  and  repair  meeting  houses  and  to  raise  and  collect  taxes 
for  those  purposes — to  warn  and  hold  meetings  and  to  choose  all  proper  offi- 
cers for  transacting  and  managing  the  concerns  of  the  said  Society  and  to 
make  Laws  for  regulating  the  same,  provided  the  same  are  not  contrary  to 
the  Constitution  and  Laws  of  the  State — and  for  liberty  to  bring  in  a  Bill 
accordingly — Or,  that  the  Honorable  Court  would  make  such  Order  on  the 
premises  as  to  them  shall  seem  meet — and  as  in  duty  bound  pray 

Caleb  Aldrich  Jr.  *  Dudley  Thomas 
Wm.  Brettun  Daniel  Wilber 

Sammuel  Robbins  *  Paul  Clark 
John  Brown  Ephraim  Brown 

*  Asa  Hancock  Joseph  Whitney 
Noah  Fuller  Jr.  *  Stephen  Bowker 
Eben'r  Wright                                              John  White 

*  Chever  Fowler  *  Levi  Hancock 
John  Chamberlain  Jr.  John  Chamberlain 

*  Benja  Leonard  Jonathan  Wilber 
Levi  Ware  *  Oliver  Wright 
Oliver  Smith                                                 Jabez  Stratton 

*  Nehemiah  Brown  *  Philip  Britton 
Cyrus  Staples  *  Benjamin  Merryfield 

*  Joshua  Fuller  *  Benjamin  Carpenter 
John  Snow  Elijah  A.  Hall 
Amos  Brown  Zephaniah  Leach  Jr. 
Samuel  Woodward  William  Aldrich 
Jona.  Winchester                                         Rufus  Smith 

Seth  Bretun  Joshua  Hall" 

John  Paul 

December  10,  1800  this  society  was  incorporated  by  legislative  enactment 
under  the  name  of  the  First  Baptist  Society  in  Westmoreland. 

The  following  shows  the  viewpoint  of  some  of  Surry  citizens  in  regard  to 
the  petition: 


Those    marked    with    a    *    were    Surry    citizens,    at    or   about    that    time. 


Ecclesiastical  History  203 

REMONSTRANCE   AGAINST   THE   INCORPORATION   OF   A   BAPTIST 

SOCIETY 

"We  a  Committee  being  appointed  by  the  Inhabitants  of  the  town  of 
Surry  at  a  legal  meeting  Oct.  11,  1800,  to  remonstrate  against  the 
prayer  of  the  Petition  of  a  Number  of  the  Inhabitants  living  in  the 
south  west  part  of  said  Surry  that  they  with  others  may  be  incorpor- 
ated into  a  Religious  Society  to  be  called  and  known  by  the  name  of 
the  First  Baptist  Society  in  Westmoreland,  beg  leaf  to  state 

First,  That  the  town  of  Surry  is  but  a  very  small  Incorporation  and 
have  not  one  Inhabitant  to  spare  without  injuring  said  Town,  there  be- 
ing not  more  than  80  Freeholders  therein 

Secondly,  Those  petitioning  Inhabitants  are  not  more  than  three  and 
a  half  and  some  not  more  than  two  Miles  from  the  Meetinghouse  in  said 
Surry. 

Thirdly,  In  their  petition  they  have  stil'd  themselves  professors  of 
Religion  by  the  Denomination  of  Baptists,  and  to  say  the  Truth,  we  are 
obliged  to  say,  that  not  one  of  those  petitioners  belonging  to  Surry  ever 
made  any  Profession  of  Religion  of  any  Denomination  that  we  know 
of,  especially  Baptists — and  we  declare  that  whenever  any  or  all  of 
them  shall  have  made  a  Publick  Profession  of  Religion  of  any  Denomina- 
tion what  ever  contrary  to  our  Denomination  we  will  agreeably  to  the 
Constitution  freely  relinquish  all  Rights  of  Taxing  such  Professors  to 
the  Support  of  our  minister. 

Fourthly,  We  doubt  in  our  minds  whether  the  motive  of  their  thus 
petitioning  is  not  more  to  answer  sinister  Views,  such  as  forming  a 
Center  to  advance  private  property  and  continue  small  Disputes  than 
to  promote  Harmony  and  good  Order. 


1 


Lemuel  Holmes 

John   Stiles 

Jonat  Robinson  f  Committee. 

Nathan  Howard 

Consent  of  Sundry  Persons  to  Foregoing. 

We  whose  names  are  hereunto  subscribed.  Inhabitants  of  the  town 
of  Surry,  hereby  give  our  Consent  to  the  Remonstrance  of  a  Committee 
appointed  by  said  Town  against  the  Petition  of  a  Number  of  the  Inhabi- 
tants thereof,  with  others  praying  to  be  incorporated  into  a  Baptist  So- 
ciety as  in  our  minds  we  doubt  the  Sincerity  of  some  of  those  Petitioners 
belonging  to  said  Surry  and  that  they  do  not  duly  consider  the  Conse- 
quence of  an  Incorporation. 

Lemuel-  Holmes  Daniel  Smith 

Nathan   Howard    (Hayward)  Asa  Holmes 

Abia  Crane  Calvin  Hayward 

Philip  Monro  Jno  McCurdy 

Jonathan   Smith  Levi  Fuller 

Ichabod  Smith  Cushman   Smith 

Sylvester  Skinner  Asahel  Harvey 


204  History  of  Surry 

Abner  Skinner  John  Stiles 

Eldad  Skinner  Thos.  Harvey 

Jonathan  Skinner  Cyrus  Harvey 

Obadiah  Wilcox  Eli  Dort 

Moses  Field  Jonat  Robinson 
Asa  Wilcox 

In  1789  this  was  presented  to  the  Town  Meeting: 

To  the  Inhabitants  of  Surry  who  are  of  the  Meetinghouse  Society  in 
Town  meeting  assembled  Sept.  17,  1789 — 
Gentlemen ; 

Whereas  you  have  taxed  certain  of  the  Baptist  Society  in  this  town 
towards  finishing  the  meetinghouse  and  the  support  of  your  worship 
who  do  not  attend  your  meetings  and  are  not  of  your  persuasion  but 
assemble  together  by  ourselves  on  Lord's  Days  "for  the  public  worship 
of  God  and  are  engaged  to  support  the  same;  for  which  reason  we  view 
your  demand  unreasonable  and  unconstitutional  as  the  Civil  law  is  ex- 
press that  no  person  shall  be  compelled  to  pay  towards  the  support  of 
a  worship  with  which  he  does  not  join.  We  therefore  suppose  it  as  un- 
reasonable for  you  to  call  on  us  to  support  your  worship  as  it  would  be 
for  us  to  call  on  you  to  pay  towards  the  support  of  ours. 

For  which  reasons  we  expect  you  will  abate  your  demands  against  us, 
so  we  remain  your  friends  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever  pray. 
Surry,  Sept.  17,  1789. 

John  Marvin,  Moderator  ^     of  the 

.  ^     Baptist 
John  Brockway,  Clerk  ^     Society. 

A  scrap  of  paper  (no  date)  states  that  taxes  were  remitted  for  these 
persons  who  were  Baptists, 
Abel  Allen  Abel  Allen  Jr.  Benjamin   Merrifield 

John  Marvin  Asa  Hancock  Cheever  Fowler 

Levi  Hancock  Oliver  Wright  Elizer   Wright 

Those  families  who  were  of  the  Baptist  persuasion  must  have  attended 
church  in  Westmoreland  or  neighboring  towns,  if  at  all,  as  there  is  no 
record  of  any  Baptist  minister  ever  settling  in  town,  nor  was  the  meeting- 
house ever  used  by  that  denomination,  so  far  as  can  be  discovered. 

The  Methodist  Ministers, 

The  Methodists  worshipped  with  the  Orthodox  society,  and  the  Orthodox, 
in  turn,  quite  often  called  a  Methtodist  minister  to  its  pulpit.  Between  1847 
and  1856  the  ministers  at  the  Crane  church  were  nearly  all  of  the  Methodist 
denomination.    There  has  been  no  Methodist  organization  in  town. 

THE   UNIVERSALIST   SOCIETY 

The  date  when  the  Universalists,  or  Universal  Church,  as  it  formerly  was 
called,  began  holding  services  in  town  has  not  been  discovered.  Zebulon 
Streeter  doubtless  was  one,  if  not  the  first,  to  conduct  services  in  dwelling 


Ecclesiastical  History  205 

houses  prior  to  1790.  He  was  a  shoemaker,  commonly  called  "a  cordwainer"; 
became  a  lay  preacher  and  appears  to  have  held  services  in  Surry  and  ad- 
joining towns  as  well  as  in  parts  of  Vermont.  He  became  well  and  favorably 
known  in  these  parts  as  "Elder  Streeter"  and  finally  as  "Rev.  Zebulon 
Streeter"  yet  no  discovered  record  shows  he  was  ever  ordained.  About  1783 
John  Thomson  who  lived  at  No.  136  "left  the  baptist  persuasion  and  joined 
the  universal  salvation"  and  Elder  Streeter,  "teacher"  held  meeting  in  his 
house.  Jedediah  Carpenter,  Jr.  was  of  this  faith,  and  doubtless  others  be- 
fore 1800. 

The  meetings  have  been  held  in  private  houses,  the  old  meetinghouse  and 
in  Carpenter's  Hall  (the  village  hotel,  No.  55),  although,  but  few,  if  any 
services  have  been  held  for  over  40  years. 

Mar.  13,  1818  the  Universalist  Society  of  Surry  was  formed.  The  follow- 
ing record  is  from  the  town  books : 

"COVENANT     OF     THE     UNIVERSAL     CHURCH,     OR     SOCIETY 
IN  SURRY,  ACCEPTED,  MARCH  13,  1818. 

We  whose  names  are  under  written,  being  properly  notified,  met  at 

•the  house  of  Capt.  Samuel  Allen  in  Surry  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a 

Religious  Society  in  the  belief  of  the  Doctrin  of  Universal  Salvation  of 

all  men  from  sin  by  Jesus  Christ  the  Mediator  and  under  a  deep  sense 

of  the  Universal  Love  of  God  to  all  men  through  a  Redeemer — 

Proceeded   as   follows : — 

1st     Chose  Mr.  Augustus  Johnson,  Moderator. 

2d      Chose  Samuel  Allen,  Clerk. 

3d  Agreed  to  form  ourselves  into  a  Religious  Society  in  the  belief  of 
the  Doctrin  of  the  Restorationers. 

4th  Agreed  to  assemble  ourselves  togather  for  the  public  worship  of 
God. 

5th  To  observe  the  orders  and  ordinances  of  the  Gospel  as  light  shall 
make  them  manifest. 

6th  Agreed  that  if  any  of  our  Society  walk  disorderly  we  will  deal  with 
them  according  to  the  sentiments  of  Scripture. 

7th  Agreed  that  if  any  one  of  our  Society  should  be  oppressed  or  ob- 
liged to  defend  him  self  by  Law  on  account  of  Religious  Senti- 
ments, we  will  each  one  assist  him  according  to  our  best  abilities. 

8th  Agreed  to  receive  any  person  or  persons  into  our  Society  who  shall 
sustain  a  fair  character. 

Voted     To  accept  of  this  Covenant  for  this  Society. 

Voted     To  have  a  Subscription  paper  to  subscribe  to  hire  preaching. 

Voted  To  have  Mr.  (Augustus)  Johnson  have  a  subscription  paper 
and  lay  out  said  money. 

Voted  To  have  Lieut.  Asa  Willcox,  Jr.  as  a  Committee  to  treat  with 
the  other  Committees,  or  join  with  them  in  hiring  preaching. 


206  History  of  Surry 

Voted     To  have  our  proceedings  recorded  on  the  Town  Book. 
A  true  Copy  Signed  as  follows, 

Attest —  James  Allen  William  Baxter 

Asahel  Harvey,  T,  Clerk.     Samuel  Allen  James  Ingals 

Surry  May  27,  1818.  Joshua  Redding  Stephen  Richardson 

Augustus  Johnson  Daniel  Day." 
Abijah  Wetherbee 

UNIVERSALIST  SOCIETY 

The  following  is  a  partial  list  of  those  who  have  ministered  in  town.     If 
there  were  ever  any  members  of  the  church,  no  records  have  been  found. 

1841,  Jan.  Mr.  Randolph  commenced  preaching  half  of  the  time  in 

town. 
"       Nov.  Mr.  Luther  J.   Fletcher  moved  into  town   and  preached 

occasionally. 
"       Dec.     6,  Mr.    L.    J.    Fletcher    commenced    teaching    the    district 

school. 

1842,  Jan.  Mr.  Randolph   returned   and  began   preaching   a  fourth 

of  the  time. 
"       Feb.  Mr.  Fletcher  began  preaching  half  of  the  time  for  one 

year. 
"       Mar.     2,  Mr.  Fletcher  opened    a    singing    school    in    the    village 

schoolhouse. 
"       Sept.    5,  Mr.  Fletcher  began  a  Select  School  consisting  of  about 

forty  scholars  which  continued  eleven  weeks. 
Dec.    25,  Mr.  Randolph  and  Fletcher  officiated  at  the  Christmas 

exercises. 

1843,  Jan.  Mr.  Fletcher  opened  a  singing  school  in  village  school- 

house  in  which  some  Orthodox  united. 
"       Mar.  Mr.  Fletcher  closed  a  ten  week  district  school. 

"  "  The     Cheshire    County    Quarterly    Conference    met    in 

Surry   at   which   time   Mr.    Fletcher   was   ordained   as 

pastor  of  the  Universalist  Society. 
"  "  Rev.  Mr.  Fletcher  began  preaching  3/4  of  the  time  for 

one  year. 
"       Sept.         Rev.  Luther  J.   Fletcher  moved  his  family  to   Swanzey 

Center  where  he    became    the    first    principal    of    Mt. 

Caesar   Seminary. 
1846,  Apr.         Mr.  Joseph   Hemphill  of  Acworth  commenced  preaching 

in  the  old  meetinghouse   1/4  of  the  time  for  a  year. 

Subsequently  he  was   ordained  and  preached   in   Uni- 
versalist   churches    at    Ludlow,    Saxtons    River,    Vt.; 

Swanzey,  and  Orange,  Mass. 
1848,  Aug.  Mr.  Scott  began  preaching  in  the  old  meetinghouse  1/4 

of  the  time  for  nine  months. 
1852,  May  Mr.    Britton    began    preaching    1/4    of    time    for    four 

months. 
1860,  Apr.  Mr.  Jackson  began  preaching  1/4  of  time  for  one  year. 


Ecclesiastical  History 


207 


1861,  Spring,     Mr.  Jackson  commenced  preaching  half  of  time  for  six 
months. 

1866,  June  24,  Mr.   Paine  of  Westmoreland — preached  semi-weekly  for 

an  indefinite  time. 
"       Sept.    2,  Mr.  Fisher  preached  for  Mr.  Paine. 
"       Sept.  16,  Mr.  Osgood  preached.     Sept.  30,  Mr.  Perkins  preached. 

1867,  Feb.  Mr.    Paine    preached    in    the    Town    Hall — Old    meeting 

house. 

"       June  23,  Mr.  Lewis  preached.     Aug.  4,  Mr.  Davis  preached. 

"       Aug.  18,  Mr.  Hayward  preached.     Aug.  25,  Mr.  Hayward  preach- 
ed. 
Sept.  1,  Mr.  S;  S.  Fletcher  preached.     Sept.  15,  Mr.  S.  S.  Fletcher 
preached. 

1868,  Aug.  2,  Mr.  Davis  preached.  Aug.  16,  Mr.  Hamilton  in  Town  Hall. 

SPIRITUALISTS 

So  far  as  known  this  sect  has  never  been  active  in  town  and  not  over  half 
a  dozen  have  adhered  to  the  faith.  July  11^  1858,  Mr.  or  Mrs.  Hervey  Bur- 
dett,  a  medium,  of  Marlow,  spoke  in  Carpenter's  hall.  Holland  Stevens  is 
said  to  have  been  a  believer  in  "departed  spirits."  No  other  religious  body 
or  sect  has  held  services  in  town  so  far  as  can  be  discovered. 


Until  1819  Religion  was  supported  by  law,  and  this  is  the 


SALARY  Tax  for  1803. 


Allen.  Abel 

12.54 

Crane.  Abia 

$.76 

"        Samuel 

3.09 

"         Joshua 

3.78 

"        Phineas 

2.17 

Capen.  Abijah 

2.35 

Abel   Jr. 

1.72 

Crandel.  Samuel 

.50 

David 

2.52 

Dart.  Eliphalet 

2.15 

"        Samuel  Admr. 

.61 

"       Eli 

1.90 

"        Noah 

.50 

"       Nathaniel 

1.02 

Baxter.  Simon 

7.71 

Dwinnel.  Berthol 

1.15 

Britton.  Luther 

.58 

Estabrook.  Nathan 

3.02 

Bridges.  Peter 

.25 

Field.  Moses  D. 

1.24 

Benton.  Abijah 

.50 

Moses 

4.37 

Britton.  James 

.74 

"       Isaac 

.62 

Carpenter.  Amasa 

2.49 

Fowler.  Cheever 

5.74 

"                Benja. 

2.20 

Fuller.  Levi 

4.03 

Ezra 

1.95 

GrifRn.  Asa 

.99 

"                Benja.  Jr. 

2.81 

Hartwell.  William 

.33 

"                Aaron 

2.74 

Hills.  Samuel 

2.50 

"                Jedediah 

1.43 

Holmes.  Lemuel 

1.02 

Charles 

2.24 

Asa 

4.08 

"               Jonathan 

.62 

Hendee.  Josiah 

3.33 

Clark.  Paul 

1.46 

Hazelton.  Moses 

1.98 

Coolidge.  William 

1.14 

Haskin.  Calvin 

2.94 

208 


History  of  Surry 


Hayward.  Daniel 

$1.92 

Rice.   Samuel 

$.74 

Calvin 

5.57 

Smith.  Ichabod 

.74 

"               Alexander 

.80 

"         Cushman 

3.87 

Nathan 

4.96 

"         Jonathan 

2.47 

"               Hercules 

2.68 

Daniel 

2.08 

Harvey.  Thomas 

5.68 

"         Benjamin 

1.53 

"           Asahel 

1.81 

Skinner.  Abner 

6.25 

"           Jonathan 

3.00 

"            Jonathan 

.50 

"           Cyrus 

1.02 

Eldad 

1.80 

Hancock.  Asa 

3.12 

"            Sylvester 

1.94 

"             Asa  Jr. 

.74 

Streeter.  Daniel 

1.56 

"             Levi 

5.00 

"           -  Jesse 

2.61 

Houghton.  Abijah 

1.49 

Stone.  Calvin 

.50 

■  Ingraham.  Jeremiah 

.86 

Sawyer.  Samuel 

2.43 

Ingals.  Joseph 

1.04 

Stiles.  John 

3.31 

Isham.  Daniel 

1.24 

Wilcox,  Asa 

5.02 

"         Widow- 

2.16 

"           Asa  Jr. 

.56 

Joy.  Micha 

3.80 

"           Gaylord 

2.82 

Mack.  Reuel 

2.84 

Obadiah 

1.56 

Marvin.  John 

2.35 

Wetherbee.  Abijah 

1.73 

Monroe.  Abel 

.50 

Wright.  Elizer 

1.61 

"           Isaac 

4.65 

"           Moses 

1.60 

Philip 

4.07 

"           Oliver 

1.32 

Merrifield.  Benjamin 

2.01 

Wheeler.  Abraham 

1.60 

McCurdy,  James 

4.63 

Ritter.  William 

1.25 

John 

4.61 

Hayward.  Aaron 

.74 

Samuel 

1.96 

Samuel  Jr. 

.74 

Sum  Total 

$235.68 

Merriam.  Richard 

.74 

Norris.  John 

1.18 

Salary  Tax  for  1803 

Elijah 

.56 

Perkins.  William 

2.60 

Redding.  John 

2.43 

Surry,  August  2d. 

Robinson.  Jonathan 

6.67 

Samuel  Hills            j 

Reed.  David 

1.86 

Nathan  Estabrook  f 

Selectmen. 

CHAPTER  XI 

EDUCATIONAL,     SOCIAL     HISTORY,     PROFESSIONAL,     SCHOOLS, 

FRATERNITY. 

So  far  as  known,  not  until  after  the  incorporation  of  the  town  in  1769,  was 
there  any  provision  made  for  the  education  of  the  young  who  resided  in  this 
valley.  The  early  settlers  who  came  here  were  people  of  intelligence  from 
Massachusetts  and  Connecticut,  who  personally  attended  to  the  education  of 
their  children,  until  the  public  schools  were  established.  The  town,  however, 
at  an  early  date  recognized  the  necessity  of  the  public  school  for  the  education 
of  the  children,  for  at  a  special  town  meeting  held  Oct.  4,  1769 — in  less  than 
seven  months  after  receiving  the  charter — the  following  business  was  trans- 
acted : 

"2nd  Voted;   To  Buld  a  House  Sufficient  to  hold  all  public  meetings  in, 

and  for  a  Scoole  House. 
3rd  Voted;   To  Buld  Sd  House  on  the  East  Side  of  the  highway  against 

the  Buring  yard  Bars. 
4th  Chose  John  Marvin,  Joshua  Dai't  and  Peter  Hayward  a  Committe 

to  take  the  Care  of  the  Building  Sd  House  and  provide 

metreals  for  the  Same. 
5th  Voted;  five  pence  upon  the  pound  to  Defray  the   Charges  of   Sd 

House. 
6th  Voted;  to  Buld  Sd  House  22  feet  Long  and  18  feet  wide. 

Obadiah  Willcox.         Town  Clark." 

It  is  supposed  the  first  school  house  within  the  present  town  limits,  was 
built  in  1770;  the  location  as  given,  would  place  the  new  building  three  or 
four  rods  north  of  Mrs.  H.  R.  Emmons'  dwelling  house.  The  subsequent 
records  are  somewhat  obscure  and  it  is  not  absolutely  known  that  the  above 
votes  were  at  that  time  fulfilled,  from  the  following  that  took  place  at  a 
special  town  meeting,  Dec.  13,  1770;  thus: 

"1st  Voted;  to  releas  the  vote  formerly  granted  to  buld  a  house  to  meet  in. 
2nd  Voted;  to  buld  a  meeting  House  45  feet  in  Length  and  35  feet  in  breadth 
and  20  feet  posts." 

It  is  quite  possible  the  vote  "to  releas  the  vote  formerly  granted"  did  not 
apply  to  the  "Scoole  House,"  but  to  the  house  in  which  to  "hold  all  public 
meetings,"  in  which  case  we  may  assume  the  new  school  house  was  already 
built.  The  2nd  Art.  in  this  meeting  was  the  first  action  taken  by  the  town 
regarding  the  building  of  the  present  Town  Hall. 

During  1771  and  '72  no  action  was  taken  in  town  meeting  for  the  support 
of  a  school;  if  there  was  one  it  must  have  been  in  the  village  and  probably- 
supported  by  private  subscription. 

The  new  meeting  house  (present  Town  Hall)  had  been  erected,  boarded, 
shingled  and  the  floors  laid  at  this  time;  the  expenses  had  been  met  accord- 


14 


210  History  of  Surry 

ing  to  previous  votes,  by  taxation.  There  were  three  or  four  of  the  Baptist 
faith  in  town  at  that  time  who  demurred  at  paying  the  "church  taxe." 

So  intense  was  the  feeling  that  a  special  town  meeting  was  held  at  the 
new  meeting  house,  Jan.  21,  1773  when  it  was  voted  "that  wee  will  refund 
back"  to  Job  Gleason  the  sum  of  £1-18-8  which  he  had  already  paid. 

It  was  further  voted  this  sum,  "to  be  improoved  toward  Supporting  a  School 
in  Sd  Town  this  year." 

From  what  appear  in  the  Town  Records;  Job  Gleason  "of  the  Baptist  per- 
swation,"  an  early  settler  of  Surry  not  only  rebelled  against  paying  his  por- 
tion to  build  a  meeting  house;  a  house  "to' hold  all  public  meetings,"  includ- 
ing those  of  the  Town,  but  proposed  that  this  sum  of  £1-18-8  be  used 
towards  supporting  a  school  in  the  town.  So  far  as  the  Records  appear,  to 
him  belongs  the  honor  of  appropriating  the  first  sum  of  money  in  town  for 
the  support  of  schools. 

No  further  action  regarding  schools  appears  to  have  taken  place  until  the 
Annual  town  meeting.  Mar.  25,  1777,  when  it  was: 

"Voted  to  Divide  the  town  into  three  Districts  for  Scholing;  the  Lore 
Destrict  to  com  up  as  far  as  Jonathan  Smith,  Jr.  (the  present  M.  D. 
Carpenter  place) ;  the  midel  to  Extend  as  far  North  as  Joshua  Fuller's 
(present  H.  W.  Harvey)  Place,"  and  the  third  probably  extended 
northward  to  Alstead  line.  It  was  also  voted,  "Each  District  to  Rase 
there  own  money  for  Scholing." 

During  this  period  the  country  was  engaged  in  the  conflict  for  freedom; 
money  was  scarce  and  somewhat  inflated;  the  matter  of  appropriating  money 
came  up  in  several  town  meetings  yet  nothing  was  raised  until  the  Annual 
town  meeting,  Mar.  30,  1779  when  it  was : 

Voted  to  raise  "100  pounds  for  schooling  for  the  year  insuing"  and  chose 
Jonathan  Smith,  Jr.  to  collect  for  the  South  District;  Nathaniel  Darte 
for  the  Middle  and  Zebulon  Streeter  for  the  North  District. 

The  year  following,  300  pounds  was  raised  for  schooling.  This  seems  an 
exhorbitant  sum  for  the  town  to  raise  for  this  purpose,  but  it  must  be  remem- 
bered this  was  "Continental  money"  which  had  now  so  depreciated  that  it 
took  thirty  dollars  of  it  to  buy  one  dollar's  worth  of  commodities,  and  its 
value  was  still  waning.  The  following  were  chosen  to  collect  the  school  tax 
for  the  year  ensuing:  South  District — Joseph  Whitney.  Middle — Abel 
Allen.  North — Moses  Dickinson  Field.  South-west — Roger  Conant.  This 
is  the  first  instance  on  record  of  a  school  in  the  south-west  part  of  the  town; 
doubtless  those  living  just  over  the  line  in  Westmoreland  and  Walpole  seeing 
the  advantage  this  school  afforded  desired  to  send  their  children  here  also,  as 
a  special  town  meeting  was  held  April  17,  1780,  a  committee  chosen,  and 
voted  to  "except  the  Committee's  report  to  join  with  those  from  Westmore- 
land and  Walpole  who  wished  to  join." 

The  years  from  1780  to  1784  were  in  all  probability  the  most  difficult  in 
the  whole  history  of  this  town,  and  the  schools  received  little  or  no  attention. 
The  crops  had  not  been  abundant,  and  provisions  were  scarce  in  New  Hamp- 
shire; the  war  had  been  raging  for  several  years;  men  were  still  being  called 
to  serve  in  the  Continental  army  and  were  being  paid  in  one,  two  and  three 
year  old  heifers;  financially,  the  country  was  nearly  bankrupt;  the  Vermont 


Educational  History  211 

controversy;  the  settling  and  dismissing  of  their  first  minister;  a  project  to 
move  the  meeting-house  to  a  place  "that  will  accomodate  the  whole,"  and  the 
building  of  roads  and  a  bridge,  all  tended  to  create  a  period  of  "hard  times." 

Being  confronted  with  all  this,  we  can  readily  understand  why  at  the  an- 
nual town  meeting,  March,  1784,  it  was  voted:  "not  to  raise  any  money  for 
schooling  for  the  present."  However,  the  next  year  it  was  voted  to  raise  £15 
for  schooling.  It  was  also  voted  to  divide  the  town  into  two  school  districts. 
The  inhabitants  were  to  use  a  portion  of  the  school-money  for  "Schooling  in 
their  own  Huses" — this  is  the  first  time  the  dwelling-house-school  has  ap- 
peared in  the  town  records. 

The  North  School  District  held  a  meeting  April  11,  1785,  at  the  house  of 
Thomas  Smith's  (the  present  Perkins  place)  when  it  was  voted  to  build  a  new 
school-house,  "on  the  Great  Road  and  near  the  road  that  runs  West  to  Mr. 
Jedediah  Carpenter's,"  the  said  school  house  is  to  be  16  feet  x  20  feet  and  to 
be  raised  "by  the  first  Day  of  July  next."  Lieut.  Moses  D.  Field,  Obadiah 
Wilcox  and  Zebulon  Streeter  were  the  building  committee. 

It  is  supposed  this  building  was  built  according  to  the  vote,  and  therefore 
was  the  second  school-house  in  town. 

During  the  next  few  years  three  or  four  schools  were  supported,  collectors 
were  usually  chosen  and  money  appropriated. 

April  8,  1790,  it  was  voted  to  divide  the  town  into  four  School  Districts  and 
a  committee  of  five  was  chosen  for  that  purpose,  viz.  Thomas  Smith,  Joshua 
Cheever  Fowler,  Zebulon  Streeter,  Benjamin  Carpenter  and  Samuel  Smith. 
At  an  adjourned  meeting  April  22nd,  it  was  voted  to  accept  the  report  of  the 
school  committee.  The  Districts  were  divided  as  follows :  North  District 
shall  extend  to  Walpole  line  on  the  West;  Alstead  line  on  the  North;  Gilsum 
line  East,  and  as  far  South  as  to  include  the  inhabitants  North  of  the  8th.  Mile 
Stone. 

Middle  District  shall  extend  North  to  the  above  Mile  Stone;  East  to  Gil- 
sum  line;  South  to  include  the  farm  that  Dr.  Philip  Monro  purchased  of  Rev. 
David  Darling;  West  to  Ridge  Hill,  so  called,  then  north  on  said  line  to  the 
South  line  of  Thomas  Harvey's  line  then  East  on  said  line  to  the  North  Dis- 
trict. 

South  District  shall  extend  North  to  the  Middle  District;  East  to  Gilsum 
town  line;  South  to  Keene  line;  West  to  Ridge  Hill. 

South-West  District  shall  extend  South  to  Keene  line;  West  to  Westmore- 
land and  Walpole  town  lines;  North  to  include  Thomas  Harvey's;  East  to 
Ridge  Hill.  Divisions  made,  "Apr.  13,  1790." 

At  the  same  town  meeting  it  was  voted  to  choose  three  committee  men  from 
each  District,  as  follows: 

North:   Lieut.  Simon  Baxter,  Moses  D.  Field  and  Lemuel  Holmes,  Esq. 

Middle:  Capt.  Samuel  Smith,  Lieut.  Nathan  Hayward  and  Jonathan  Rob- 
inson. 

South:     Benjamin  Carpenter,  Lieut.  John  M'Curdy  and  William  Barron. 

South-West:     Joshua  Cheever  Fowler,  Asa  Hancock  and  Thomas  Harvey. 

At  the  Annual  Town  Meeting,  Mar.  5,  1792  it  was  voted:  that  each  school 
district  shall  build  a  school-house,  and  each  shall  be  at  the  cost  of  their  own 
buildings.  Voted:  that  a  committee  of  three  in  each  district  shall  build  the 
school-house  and  lay  out  money  for  the  same,  thus: 

North  District,  Lemuel  Holmes,  Lieut.  Moses  D.  Field  and  Samuel  Hills. 


212  History  of  Surry 

Middle  District,  Capt.  Samuel  Smith,  Jonathan  Robinson  and  Lieut.  Nathan 
Hayward. 

The  Records  do  not  reveal  the  "building  Committee"  in  the  other  districts 
in  town.  There  is  no  doubt,  a  school  house  was  standing  in  each  district  in 
1792,  or  '93,  at  the  latest.'^  At  a  special  town  meeting  May  23,  1792  it  was 
voted:  to  raise  33  pounds,  ten  shillings  to  pay  for  building  the  new  school 
house  in  Middle  District,  and  voted:  to  raise  24  pounds,  17  shillings  to  build 
the  new  school  house  in  South  District. 

The  approximate  location  of  the  four  buildings  are  known  and  numbei'ed 
upon  the  town  map.  All  were  provided  with  a  large  fire-place  to  heat  the 
building  in  cold  weather. 

They  were  known  as,  *  The  North;  Middle;  South  and  South-west  Dis- 
tricts until  1822  when  it  was  voted  to  re-divide  the  districts  as  well  as  change 
the  same  to  No.  1,  No.  2,  No.  3  and  No.  4  in  the  same  order  as  given  above. 
With  the  four  schools  established  the  inhabitants  were  not  wholly  satisfied 
with  conditions;  those  living  in  the  extreme  east  part  of  Westmoreland — in 
1795 — "were  far  better  accomodated  by  sending  to  the  adjoining  Surry  school- 
ward."  In  1797  Capt.  Thomas  Harvey,  and  in  1800  John  Stiles  were  placed  in 
the  Middle  district,  having  previously  been  connected  with  the  South-west, 
and  in  1801  Dr.  Philip  Monroe  was  set  back  from  the  South,  to  the  Middle; 
a  petition  that  year  by  Capt.  Harvey  and  others  to  be  set  off  to  Walpole  school 
was  not  granted. 

Oct.  11,  1800,  it  was  voted  to  build  and  repair  the  several  school-houses  in 
town. 

In  1804  J.  Cheever  Fowler  and  Benjamin  Smith  who  had  been  in  the  West 
were  returned  to  the  South-west  district,  and  in  1820  Royal  Watkins,  Stephen 
Stimson  and  Benjamin  Carpenter  were  set  off  from  the  South,  to  the  South- 
west district. 

Several  of  the  inhabitants  joined  a  school  district  in  Walpole  in  1801  which 
was  continued  several  years  and  was  known  as  "The  North-west"  district, 
and  in  1803  a  new  district  was  formed  in  the  neighborhood  near  Capt.  Thomas 
Harvey's  which  was  maintained  a  few  years,  and  was  known  as  the  "West 
district." 

After  the  year  1809  a  School  Inspecting  Committee  was  chosen  annually  to 
visit  and  inspect  the  several  schools  in  town.  The  first  to  serve  on  this  com- 
mittee in  Surry  wei-e,  Rev.  Perley  Howe,  Jonathan  Robinson,  Esq.,  and  Samuel 
Hills.  It  was  voted  in  town  meeting  in  1814,  that  the  School  Committee  shall 
not  hire  teachers  to  keep  school  Saturday  afternoons,  and  in  1822,  that  no 
teachers  shall  be  employed  in  town  unless  approved  by  the  Inspecting  Com- 
mittee. 

As  late  as  1850  or  '60  there  were  but  two  school  terms  each  year;  the  sum- 
mer school  for  small  scholars  and  the  winter  in  which  both  old  and  young  at- 
tended. All  the  schools  kept  school  every-other-Saturday  during  the  term, 
with  but  very  few  "holidays,"  and  "teachers-visiting-day"  had  never  been 
heard  of  or  considered. 

The  school  tax  for  1793  was  £27-s9-dll;  in  1795  was  $100.46;  1800,  $129.86; 
1805,   1160.25;    1815,   $184.22;    1825,   $228.41;    1835,   $190.23;    1850,   $222.19; 


*While    they    were   standing,    in    1793    it    is    known    not    all    were   entirely    finished    until    a 
few    years    later. 

tAt  present  the  schools  are  known  as,  North  End;  Village  and  West  Hill. 


Educational  History  213 

1865,  ?314.00,  divided  as  follows:  Dist.  No.  1,  §89.09;  Dist.  No.  2,  $129.16; 
Dist.  No.  3,  $62.39;  Dist.  No.  4,  $33.36;  Tax  for  1875,  $483.00. 

The  subject  of  re-dividing  the  several  school  districts  came  up  in  town 
meeting  in  1831  when  a  committee  was  chosen  but  no  very  radical  departure 
from  earlier  divisions  was  made.  In  1851  there  was  a  plan  on  foot  to  divide 
district  No.  1  and  No.  2  into  three  districts  but  nothing  was  done. 

As  previously  stated,  a  School  Inspecting  Committee  of  three,  or  more, 
were  chosen  annually  to  "Visit  and  Inspect"  the  several  schools  in  town.  The 
following  served  on  this  committee  between  1810  and  1830:  Rev.  Perley 
Howe,  Major  Nathan  Hayward,  Capt.  Charles  Bond,  Samuel  Hills,  Esq., 
Capt.  Simon  Baxter,  Col.  William  Bond,  Asahel  Harvey,  David  Shaw,  Esq., 
Elijah  Fuller,  Sylvester  Smith,  Ichabod  Crane,  Eli  Dort,  Dr.  John  Wakefield, 
Jonas  Pollard,  Jonathan  E.  Davis  and  Royal  Watkins. 

The  Inspecting  Committee  were  required  to  make  an  Annual  Report  to  the 
town,  but  only  two  of  those  Reports  have  been  found,  which  covered  the  years 
1819-20  & '21.     For  the  year  1819  the  report  was  as  follows:  ^ 

To  the  Inhabitants  of  Surry, 

In  compliance  with  your  request  at  our  last  annual  meeting  your  In- 
specting Committee  beg  leave  to  make  the  following 

REPORT 

of  the  schools  in  the  several  Districts  in  this  town,  to  wit: 

Reading  and  Spelling  as  often  as  time  and  opportunity  permit,  ap- 
pear to  be  the  invariable  practice  of  each  Scholar  through  each  of  the 
several  schools. 

The  School  in  the  Middle  District  under  the  tuition  of  Mr.  Jonathan 
Robinson,  Jr.  consists  of  about  40  Scholars  from  5  to  19  years  of  age, 
of  whom, 

12  are  studying  Arithmetic,  principally  beginners. 
3     "  "  Geography,  pretty  well  versed. 

3     "  "  Grammar,  new  beginners. 

22     "  "  Penmanship,  two  new  beginners. 

Alphabet,  none. 

The  School  in  the  North  District  under  the  tuition  of  Mr.  Hezekiah 
Newcomb  consists  of  about  50  scholars  from  5  to  20  years  of  age,  of 
whom, 

8  are  studying  Arithmetic. 

3  "  "  Geography. 
7     "          "  Grammar. 

30     "  "  Penmanship. 

Alphabet,  none. 

The  School  in  the  South  District  under  the  tuition  of  Miss  Mary 
Darling,  (alias  Lathrop)  consists  of  about  30  Scholars  from  6  to  17 
years  of  age,  of  whom, 

10  are  studying  Arithmetic,  principally  beginners. 

4  "  "  Geography,  doing  well. 


214  History  of  Surry 

5     "  "  Gi'ammar,  new  beginners. 

12     "  "  Penmanship. 

4     "  "  Alphabet. 

The  School  in  the  South-West  District  under  the  tuition  of  Mr.  Royal 
Watkins  consists  of  about  25  scholars  from  5  to  19  years  of  age,  of 
whom, 

2  are  studying  Arithmetic,  pretty  forward. 

2     "  "  Grammar,  considerable  forward. 

11  "  "  Penmanship. 
2     "          "           Alphabet. 

The  orders,  regulations  and  improvements  which  appeared  in  each  of 
said  schools  discovered  not  only  the  assiduity  of  the  Scholars,  but  like- 
wise the  abilities  and  dispositions  of  the  several  teachers  to  discharge 
and  perform  the  duties  incumbent  on  them  as  instructors;  and  meets  the 

approbation,  and  merits  the  applause  of 
or 

Perley  Howe  "j 

David  Shaw  I     Inspecting  Committee. 

Sylvester  Smith 

P.  S.  Your  Committee  put  questions  to  several  of  the  Scholars  in 
each  School,  and  so  far  as  they  have  received  answers  they  are  satis- 
factory and  pleasing. 

March  1820. 

The  following  report  of  the  Inspecting  Committee  chosen  March  1820,  was 
given  March  1821: 

The  Committee  for  Inspection  of  the  Schools  in  Surry  ask  leave  to 
report:  They  have  attended  to  their  duty  and  have  inspected  the  sev- 
eral schools  twice  the  winter  past;  once  in  the  month  of  January,  the 
last  visit  near  the  close  of  the  schools;  considering  it  the  duty  of  the 
Inspectors  to  give  Instruction  to  the  teachers  and  encouragement  to  the 
scholars.  We  find  the  schools  all  under  good  regulations,  ambitious  to 
excel  in  the  various  branches  commonly  taught  in  English  schools  with 
good  instructors  who  have  appeared  to  use  their  best  exertions  for  the 
promotion  and  instruction  of  the  youth  committed  to  their  care;  good 
understanding  and  harmony  have  appeared  to  exist  between  the  in- 
structor and  their  scholars  and  the  people  in  general.  We  herewith  sub- 
mit to  you  the  following  schedule; 

The  North  school,  under  the  instruction  of  J.  Eawson,  consists  of 
nearly  70  scholars. 

4  Grammarians,    quite    forward;    2    have    made    considerable    profi- 
ciency. 

12  in  Arithmetic,  and  occasionally  20,  several  are  considerable  for- 
ward. 

5  in  Geography  who  are  very  forward. 

40  in  Writing,  some  of  those  considered  writers,  are  occasionally  at- 
tending to  English  Grammar,  Arithmetic,  Geography,  etc. 


Educational  History  215 

Between  20  and  30  small  scholars,  some  in  reading  and  the  spelling 
book,  some  small  taught  in  words  of  a  few  letters. 

The    Middle    school,    Jonathan    Robinson,    Jr.    Instructor    consists    of 
nearly  60  scholars. 

11  in  Grammar,  6  of  them  very  good  Grammarians;  the  others  have 
made  some  proficiency. 

14  in  Arithmetic,  6  of  whom  have  been  through  Adams  Arithmetic 
and  have  a  good  knowledge  of  the  Theory  and  Practice,  the  others 
principally  beginners. 

13  in  Geography,  7  of  whom  can  answer  correctly  most  of  the  ques- 
tions in  Geography;  the  others  have  made  some  proficiency. 

37  in  Writing,  a  number  of  which  attend  occasionally  to  other  studies. 

About  12  or  fifteen  in  Reading  in  the  Spelling  book;  some  in  spelling, 
but  two  in  the  Alphabet. 

The  South  school,  Calvin  Hayward,  Instructor,  consisting  of  about  40 
scholars ; 

6  in  Grammar,  some  very  forward. 

6  in  Geography,  part  of  which  are  very  good  Geographers. 
10  in  Arithmetic,  one  of  which   has   been  through   Adams   Arithme- 
tic, the  others  principally  beginners. 
20  in  Writing,  some  of  which  attend  occasionally  to  other  studies. 
About  10  or  12  in  the  small  classes;  some  reading  in  the  Testament, 
and  reading  in  the   Spelling  book,  some  in   Spelling,  and  most  of  the 
small  classes  can  recite  most  of  the  pieces  commonly  taught  small  schol- 
ars with  accuracy. 

The    South-West    school,    Royal    Watkins,    Instructor,    consisting    of 
about  35  scholars. 

3  in  Grammar,  two  of  which  are  very  good  Grammarians. 

4  in  Arithmetic,  two  of  which  have  gone  through  Adams  Arithme- 
tic; Pikes  Abridgement  and  are  good  Grammarians  and  Geograph- 
ers; two  new  beginners. 

3  in  Geography,  two  of  which  are  the  above  mentioned. 
17  in  Writing,  some  occasionally  attend  to  other  studies. 
10  in  small  classes  and  the  Alphabet  most  of  which  recite  the  pieces 
commonly  taught  small  scholars. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted  by  your  Inspecting  Committee. 
Sylvester  Smith  j 

Eli  Dort  I    Inspecting  Committee. 

Ichabod  Crane 

Surry,  March  1,  1821. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  in  these  Reports,  there  were  about  145  pupils  in 
town  1819-20,  and  205  in  the  year  following. 

For  some  years  around  1850-60,  a  County  Superintending  School,  or  com- 
missioner was  employed  to  visit  and  inspect  the  schools  throughout  Cheshire 
County.     Mr.  Bennett  of  Winchester  filled  this  position  for  several  years  be- 


216  History  of  Surry 

ing  succeeded  by  Col.  Herbert  B.  Titus  of  Chesterfield,  who  later  became  an 
officer  in  the  Civil  war.  Dr.  S.  H.  McCallester  of  Marlboro,  N.  H.,  was  at 
one  time  commissioner. 

In  1833  the  town  voted  to  raise  S20.00  in  addition  to  the  requirement  by- 
law, for  schooling  in  town  that  year. 

The  following  is  a  partial  list  of  those  who  served  as  Supt.  of  schools  in 
Surry  1859-1884: 

Isaac  Brown,  George  W.  Britton,  George  K.  Harvey,  Dr.  William  H.  Por- 
ter. Francis  F.  Field,  Susan  F.  Ellis,  Mrs.  Maggie  G.  (Fawcett)  Field,  and 
Mrs.  Sabrina  W.  (Perry)  Britton. 

The  North,  or  School  District  No.  1. 

The  first  school  house  in  this  district  was  probably  built  during  the  sum- 
mer of  1785  at  the  corner  of  the  Carpenter  and  Great  Road,  16  x  20  feet  in 
size.  No  record  has  been  found  to  indicate  whether  it  was  in  the  north  or 
south  corner  of  the  roads  mentioned,  but  on  the  map  we  have  shown  its  site 
as  being  on  the  north  side,  No.  105. 

At  a  town  meeting  held  Aug.  25,  1806,  it  was  voted  not  to  purchase  the 
"old  school  house  in  the  North  District"  nor  hii*e  the  same  for  the  use  of  the 
town's  poor.  This  is  the  only  instance  found  in  the  town  records  respecting 
this  school  house,  and  doubtless  refers  to  the  one  built  in  1785,  which  prob- 
ably had  been  unused  for  several  years  prior  to  1806. 

The  second  school  house  to  be  erected  in  this  district  was  about  1792.  which 
was  in  use  until  1854,  when  sold  to  Mrs.  J.  G.  Britton  who  had  it  moved  to 
the  village  and  is  now  the  front  portion  of  Mason  A.  Carpenter's  house.  This 
building  when  erected  was  20  x  28  feet  and  stood  on  the  exact  site  where  Mr. 
Shaw  later  built  his  sugar  house,  on  the  west  side  of  the  road  near  Shaws 
Corner,  and  in  1840  this  building  was  painted  red,  and  had  a  "four-way"  pitch 
roof. 

The  tax  assessed  to  build  this  school  house  has  been  found  on  an  old  paper 
and  is  as  follows : 

A  true  copy  of  the  North  District  School-house  Tax  bill  delivered  to  Thomas 
Smith,  collector  of  taxes,  for  the  year  1793. 


Baxter,  Simon 
Baxter,  William 
Carpenter,  Jedediah 
Carpenter,  Jedediah    Jr. 
Carpenter,  Charles 
Carpenter,  Aaron 
Crane,  Abiah 
Field,  Moses  D. 
Field,  Moses 
Holmes,  Lemuel 
Holmes,  Asa 
Holmes,  Timothy 


Samuel  Hills                 ^ 
Asa  Wilcox                   (^ 

Selectmen, 

£1; 

;18: 

2 

Holmes,  Calvin 

7: 

7 

11: 

2 

Holmes,  Lemuel  Jr. 

5: 

5 

1: 

:   1: 

1 

Hayward,  Abner 

4: 

2 

5: 

0 

Hills,  Samuel 

14: 

4 

8: 

10 

Isham,  Benjamin 

8: 

7 

5: 

5 

Isham,  Ebenezer 

4: 

2 

18: 

1 

Marvin,  John 

12: 

4 

1; 

:   5: 

4 

Pai'ker,  Samuel 

5: 

10 

4: 

2 

Porter,  Benjamin 

4: 

2 

4: 

2 

Messer,  Timothy 

13: 

2 

1; 

:   0: 

5 

Redding,  John 

9: 

10 

5: 

5 

Reed,  David 

6: 

5 

Educational  History  217 


Smith, 

Thomas 

11: 

5 

Streeter,  Daniel 

8: 

8 

Smith, 

Thomas,  Jr. 

8: 

2 

Willcox,  Asa 

10: 

10 

Smith, 

Ichabod 

1:   3: 

0 

Willcox,  Obadiah 

13: 

3 

Smith, 

Stephen 

12: 

5 

Willcox,  Obadiah  Jr. 

5: 

3 

Smith, 

Daniel 

0:   8: 

6 

Willcox,  Gaylord 

5: 

5 

Scovel, 

Henry 

9: 

4 

Willcox,  John 

3: 

5 

Stene, 

Job 

4 

2 

Streete 

ir,  Zebulon 

19: 

4 

Sum  total 

20:   5: 

4 

The  third  and  present  school  house  erected  in  this  district  in  1854  was  only 
two  or  three  rods  north  of  the  second  building.  The  following  is  a  paper 
found  among  the  town  records: 

"To  the  Selectmen  of  the  town  of  Surry, 

Whereas  the  school  house  lot  in  school  district  No.  1  in  said  town  is 
so  located  as  to  be  inconvenient  and  unjust  to  the  subscribers,  legal 
voters  in  said  district  who  are  aggrieved  thereby,  we  therefore  request 
you  to  appoint  a  committee  to  examine  and  report  upon  the  same,  and 
to  cause  a  new  and  more  equitable  location  and  record  thereof  to  be 
made  according  to  law." 

Surry,  June  1st  1854. 

r  Warren     Carpenter 

I  James    Britton 

I  John  A.  Britton 

(Signed)  '  Hiram  Britton 

I  David  Shaw 

Horace  B.  Shaw 
Samuel  Long 
Hollis  Wilcox. 

Teachers  would  be  rare  indeed  today  who  could  be  induced  to  take  one  of 
those  old-time-schools.  The  winter  terms  were  always  taught  by  men  teachers 
until  about  1845.  A  blacksmith's  apprentice  while  attending  this  school  about 
that  time  resorted  to  strategy  to  escape  the  severity  of  a  flogging.  His  leather 
apron  under  his  outer  clothing  was  however  discovered  by  the  master,  who 
increased  the  measure  of  punishment  because  of  the  ruse. 

No  complete  list  of  those  who  have  taught  in  this  district  is  at  hand.  Al- 
fred Munn  of  Gilsum  taught  here  in  1792,  for  which  he  received  six  pounds; 
Hezekiah  Newcomb  in  1819-20;  J.  Rawson  1820-21.  Lewis  B.  Monroe,  who 
later  wrote  the  "Monroe  Reader,"  taught  here  about  1840.  He  later  founded 
the  Monroe  School  of  Elocution  in  Boston — now  Emerson  college. 

In  1849,  56  scholars  attended  this  school;  35  in  1857,  and  from  11  to  17  in 
recent   years. 

THE  MIDDLE  OR  SCHOOL  DISTRICT  No.  2. 

The  first  school  house  built  not  only  in  this  district,  but  in  the  town  was 
erected  on  the  east  side  of  the  road  opposite  the  village  cemetery,  and  was 
built  probably  during  the  summer  of  1770.  This  building  was  in  use  until 
1792  or  '93,  and  what  finally  became  of  it  has  not  been  ascertained.     March  5, 


218  History  of  Surry 

1792  it  was  voted  that  "each  school  district  shall  build  a  school-house."  Un- 
der this  vote  the  second  school  house  to  be  erected  in  this  district  was  prob- 
ably built  during  that  summer;  in  fact  at  a  special  town  meeting  held  on  the 
23d  of  May  it  was  voted  "to  accept  the  doings  of  the  School  committee  of 
their  doings  in  the  Middle  School  District,  in  regard  to  building  a  school 
house"  and  to  "raise  33  pounds,  ten  shillings  to  pay  for  said  school-house." 
This  committee  had  at  this  time  selected  the  location  for  the  new  building 
and  the  size,  equipment,  etc.  It  is  understood  the  house  now  standing,  where 
the  late  Benjamin  C.  Crosby  lived  in  his  old  age,  is  the  second  school  house 
erected  in  this,  district.     It  is  22  x  32  feet  in  size. 

An  article  in  town  meeting  March  22,  1804,  "to  see  if  the  town  will  move 
the  school  house  east  of  the  meeting  house  farther  south,  onto  town  land,"  no 
action  was  taken,  hence,  it  is  probable  the  old  school  building  was  still  stand- 
ing at  that  time. 

On  Dec.  21,  1829  a  meeting  was  called  "to  see  if  the  district  will  raise 
money  to  build  a  school  house  or  repair  the  old  one."  From  the  records,  it  ap- 
pears there  was  some  discord  in  building  and  locating  the  new  school  house, 
but  it  was  finally  decided  to  build  on  a  plot  of  land  taken  from  the  farm  of 
Otis  Daggett.  May  5,  1830  Mr.  Daggett  sold  a  lot  40  feet  square  for  Num- 
ber 2  school  house;  "the  southeast  corner  of  this  lot  is  30  feet  north  of  an  elm 
tree  which  stands  about  15  rods  south  of  the  old  meeting  house."  The  present 
village  house  was  built  during  the  summer  of  1830,  and  in  September  follow- 
ing a  school  meeting  was  held  "at  the  new  school  house"  at  which  time  it  was 
voted  to  "raise  money  to  pay  for  the  new  school  house  now  built." 

It  appears  an  illegal  transaction  took  place  in  some  of  the  several  school 
meetings  held  in  connection  with  the  building  of  this  new  school  house  and  a 
meeting  was  held  March  19,  1831,  making  the  same  "legal."  At  this  meeting 
it  was  voted,  "to  fence  the  school  house  yard"  and  "to  accept  of  the  former 
sale  or  disposal  of  the  old  school  house  belonging  to  said  District."  At  a 
meeting  Sept.  14,  following,  there  was  a  bill  of  expense  of  §180.86  "for  build- 
ing and  finishing  the  new  school  house" — also  voted  $8.00  to  purchase  a  pair 
of  andirons,  a  fire  shovel  and  tongs.  Some  time  prior  to  1850  a  stove  was  in- 
stalled to  heat  the  building  in  place  of  the  old  "fire-place." 

The  door  to  this  building  was  on  the  south  side  near  the  southwest  corner 
where  the  entry  and  woodshed  were  located.  North  of  this  room  was  the 
cloak-room  entered  from  the  school  room,  which  included  the  remainder.  The 
teacher's  desk  was  on  a  platform  at  the  east  end  of  the  room  in  front  of  which 
was  the  broad  center  aisle.  The  desks  would  accommodate  two,  and  some- 
times three,  small  pupils,  all  facing  the  center  aisle;  the  lads  on  one  side  and 
the  lasses,  opposite.  A  board  attached  to  the  noi'th  and  south  walls  of  the 
room  served  as  a  back  seat  for  the  "big  scholars." 

So  numerous  were  the  pupils,  in  less  than  20  years  it  was  a  serious  prob- 
lem whether  to  repair  the  old  or  build  a  new  school  house.  Finally  at  a  meet- 
ing April  18,  1857,  it  was  voted  to  move  the  building  to  the  west  about  26 
feet  and  to  build  an  addition  of  12  feet  on  the  east  end  to  be  the  same  width 
as  the  present  school  house,  and  fit  up  the  out-side  and  in-side;  also  voted  to 
raise  $200  for  the  same,  and  $25  to  purchase  more  land  to  the  west.  The  day 
the  old  building  was  moved,  the  men  of  the  district  turned  out  and  held  a 
"moving  bee."  The  work  which  had  taken  10  years  of  consideration  was  ac- 
complished in  a  few  hours. 


Educational  History 


219 


At  this  time  the  door,  entry  and  wood-shed  were  placed  at  the  east  end  of 
the  building;  new  one-pupil-seats  replaced  the  old,  all  facing  the  east;  later, 
and  for  the  past  40  years,  the  pupils  sit  facing  north.  In  1856  an  overheated 
stove  started  a  fire,  with  slight  damage. 

David  Shaw  and  Daniel  Leonard  taught  the  village  school  prior  to  1800 
and  Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr.;  Dr.  John  Petts,  S.  Harrison  Porter  and  his 
brother,  George  P.  Porter,  and  many  others  taught  here  before  1860.  Men 
were  usually  employed  to  teach  the  winter  terms  before  and  for  some  years 
after  the  latter  date,  and  it  was  common  practice  for  the  teacher  to  "board 
around,"  as  late  as  1845.  In  1847  it  was  voted  "to  sell  the  boarding  of  the 
summer  school  teacher  to  the  lowest  bidder."  We  have  no  record  at  hand 
of  the  price,  the  teacher,  or  "quality"  of  board  that  summer. 

In  1850  about  60  scholars  attended  this  school  and  a  few  years  later  over  70 
pupils  were  enrolled  one  winter  term.  During  recent  years  from  16  to  23 
have  attended  this  school. 

Of  the  women  teachers  in  this  school  from  60  to  70  years  ago,  none  were 
more  successful  or  taught  more  terms  than  Miss  Persis  E.  Harvey. 

The  following  is  copy  of  a  small  leaflet  which  she  presented  to  each  scholar 
at  the  close  of  school.     Names  in  parentheses  indicate  married  surname: 


—MEMORIAL- 
CATALOGUE 
PUPILS  IN  DIST.  NO.  2, 
in   Surry, 

For  the  Term  commencing   May  5th, 
and  closing  July  12th,  1856. 

PERSIS  E.  HARVEY, 
Teacher. 


Ella  F.  Adams 
Abbie  H.  Adams   (Shumway) 
Hattie  L.  Adams   (Martin) 
Emma  J.  Adams   (Humphrey) 
Louise  J.  Benton   (Norton) 
Mary  L.  Blake 

Hattie  M.  Britton   (Carpenter) 
Mary  E.  Britton 

Josephine  A.   Carpenter    (Joslin) 
Ellen  M.  Carpenter   (Kingsbury) 
Hattie   R.    Carpenter    (Emmons) 
Sarah  J.  Carpenter  (Comstock) 
Emma  A.  Crosby   (Deane) 
Fannie  E.  Crosby  (Mansfield) 
Frances  L.  Gushing  (Darling) 
Carrie  A.  Durell  (Howe) 
Lucy  A.  Durell   (Perkins) 
Relief  S.  Horton  (Mason) 


Georgiana  F.  Joslin   (Cummings) 

Kate  I.  Joslin  (Field) 

Sarah  J.  Mansfield 

Emma  L.  Poole  (Carpenter) 

Mary  E.  Poole  (Carpenter) 

Sarah  C.  Pond   (Raymond) 

Aurilla  F.  Pond 

Mary  L.  Rugg  (Patten) 

Sarah  E.  Stone   (Longley) 

Celuda  J.  Tufts   (Wilcox) 

John  Henry  Allen 

Ira  E.  Blake 

Charles  W.  Britt 

Charles  E.  Britton 

Elbridge  W.  Britton 

George  B.  Britton 

Jasper  H.  Carpenter 

Mason  A.  Carpenter 


220  History  of  Surry 

Frank  DeW.  Carpenter  George  W.  Stone 

Eugene  R.  Carpenter  Charles  G.  Stone 

John  Walter  Gushing  Sidney  D.  Tufts 

Willie  T.  Joslin  Chandler  A.  Wilbur 

George  F.  Mansfield  George  F.  Wilbur 

Stephen  F.  Mansfield  Charles  K.  Wilbur. 
Eddie  I.  Randall 

THE  SOUTH  OR  SCHOOL  DISTRICT  NO.  3. 

As  early  as  1777,  at  which  time  the  division  was  made,  a  school  apparently 
had  been  established  in  this  district.  As  no  vote  for  building  a  house  prior  to 
1792  appears  upon  the  records,  it  is  possible  that  Samuel  McCurdy's  tavern 
served  as  a  school  house. 

March  5,  1792,  Voted  that  each  school  district  shall  build  a  school  house. 

And  on, 
May  23,  1792,  Voted  to  accept  the  doings  of  the  South  School  district 

committee  of  their  doings  to  build  a  school  house  in  that  district,  also, 

Voted  to  raise  24  pounds,  17  shillings  for  Sd  house,  to  be  raised  in 

that  district. 

The  first  building  in  this  district  was  erected  in  1792  or  '93.  The  following 
tax  bill  was  the  final  payment  on  this  school  house : 

"A  true  coppy  of  the  South  Destrict  School  Hous  arrearage  tax  bill. 
Samuel  Hills,  Asa  Willcox,  Selectmen,  Feb.  6th,  1794. 
A  list  of  those  taxed: — William  Barron,  William  Barron  Jr.,  John 
McCurdy,  James  McCurdy,  Samuel  McCurdy,  Samuel  McCurdy  Jr.,  Ben- 
jamin Carpenter,  Amasa  Carpenter,  Benjamin  Carpenter  Jr.,  Edward 
Crandell,  Calvin  Hayward,  Elias  Hayward,  Hannah  Hayward,  Sarah 
Hayward,  Sarrel  Hayward,  Sylvanus  Hayward,  Robert  Phinley,  Zach- 
arius  Watkins  and — Sanburn.  Total  tax,  £1:13:7." 

This  building,  was  destroyed  by  fire  within  a  few  years  and  in  its  place  a 
new  one  was  erected. 

In  1798  it  was  voted  to  accept  the  chimney  in  the  South  School  House  as 
now  built.  From  this  we  suspect  the  chimney  in  the  first  house  was  defective 
and  caused  the  fire  which  destroyed  the  first  building. 

March  17,  1800.  "Voted  to  accept  the  South  School  house  now  built"  and 
to  raise  $124.64  to  defray  expense  of  the  same.  In  all  probability  this  was 
for  the  second  building  erected  in  this  district  which  stood  near  a  large  rock 
on  the  west  side  of  the  present  highway,  three  or  four  rods  north  of  Frank  E. 
Ellis'  barn.  *In  it  was  an  old  time  fire-place,  of  sufficient  size  as  to  accomo- 
date a  log  three  feet  in  length,  and  this  house  was  in  use  for  about  40  years. 

The  following  is  from  a  slip  of  paper  found  in  the  town  records: 

"Surry  December  1,  1802. 
To  Samuel  Allen  Treasur  for  the  Town  of  Surry,  you  are  direct'd  to 
pay  to  Capt.  Calvin  Hayward   (School  house  Tax  Collector  for  the  year 


*The    late    William    H.    Woodward    of    Keene   attended    this    school    when    a    mere    lad,    and 
he  has  supplied  many  details  given  in  this   history. 


Educational  History  221 

that  the  Schoolhouse  in  the  South  Destrict  was  lost  by  fire) — Eight  Dol- 
lars &  fifty  Cents  it  being  Money  that  the  Town  Voted  to  Joseph  Holms 
and  others. 

Saml  Hills  i  Selectmen 

18-50  Nathan  Estabrook      \         of  Surry." 

No  other  reference  to  this  fire  has  been  discovered  and  this  record  is  ob- 
scure as  to  the  year  the  house  was  destroyed,  but  it  probably  occurred  in  1797 
or  '98. 

March  19,  1835,  a  school  meeting  was  held  in  the  old  house,  to  see  if  the 
district  would  vote  to  raise  money  to  build  a  new  school  house,  or  repair  the 
old.  It  was  voted  to  build  a  new  school  house,  and  a  committee  was  chosen 
for  that  purpose. 

Edmond  Woodward  gave  a  plot  from  off  his  farm  for  the  new  house,  "so 
long  as  it  should  be  used  for  school  purposes."  The  size  of  this  building  was 
21  X  26  feet,  and  was  in  use  until  about  1889.  At  the  March  1915  town  meet- 
ing it  was  sold  at  auction  to  Frank  E.  Ellis  for  §40  who  moved  it  the  May 
following,  and  it  is  now  his  carriage  house. 

The  following  item  has  been  found  among  the  town  papers : 

"Surry  February  24,  1798, 
Rec'd  of  Samuel  McCurdy,  Jr.  twenty-one  dollars  &  seventeen  cents  in 
full  for  keeping  a  school  in  Surry  South  District  ten  weeks  and  three 
days.     I  say  rec'd  by  me,       (Signed)      Daniel  Leonard,  School  Master." 

Calvin  Hayward,  Dr.  Henry  Robinson,  Aaron  H.  Livermore,  Calvin  May, 
Amasa  May,  Daniel  Buss,  Haskell  Austin  and  George  Barnett  and  others 
taught  here  between  1800  and  1860,  also  a  long  list  of  female  teachers. 

THE    SOUTH-WEST   OR   SCHOOL   DISTRICT   NO.   4. 

This  is  now  known  as  the  "West  Hill  School"  and  the  present  school  house 
is  the  fourth  located  in  this  district.  As  early  as  1780  Roger  Conant  was 
chosen  collector  of  the  school  tax  in  this  district.  Soon  after  certain  inhabi- 
tants in  the  edge  of  Westmoreland  and  Walpole  petitioned  the  town  to  be  al- 
lowed to  attend  this  school.  Levi  Hancock  was  collector  of  the  school  tax  in 
1800  the  amount  raised  by  Surry  being  $14.83  for  that  year.  Doubtless  taxes 
from  adjoining  towns  considerably  increased  the  amount  of  school  money. 

The  first  school  house  is  supposed  to  have  been  erected  in  1792  or  '93,  prior 
to  that  time  probably  they  used  a  dwelling  house.  This  building  stood  on  the 
north  side  of  the  present  road  leading  to  Westmoreland  being  at  that  time 
near  the  junction  of  roads  leading  to  Surry,  Keene  and  Walpole,  via.,  the 
"old  stage  road."  Here  the  building  stood  for  more  than  25  years.  On  Dec. 
1,  1821  a  bill  was  presented  for  $25.61  to  be  paid  by  "the  inhabitants  of  the 
South  West  School  District,  for  the  purpose  of  moving  and  repairing  the 
School  House  in  said  District"  which  "sum  must  be  paid  before  the  first  of 
March  next."  The  second  site  was  in  the  field  northerly  of  Walter  H.  Brit- 
ton's  barn  and  only  a  few  rods  below  the  pasture  wall  near  where  the  old 
county  road  ran  at  that  time. 


222  History  of  Surry 

This  school  house  was  accidentally  destroyed  by  fire  at  which  time  it  ap- 
pears to  have  been  practically  useless; 

"An  old  school  house  on  Surry  hill  was  destroyed  by  fire  last  Wednes- 
day (Dec.  9,  1835).  The  books  burnt  were  worth  §30.00  it  is  said,  and 
of  more  value  than  the  house.  If  so  it  is  time  it  was  burnt  or  pulled 
down."  — Keene  Sentinel. 

March  26,  1836,  Philip  Thomas  sold  a  lot  28  x  36  feet  in  the  southwest  cor- 
ner of  his  pasture  for  the  new  and  third  school  house  which  was  built  that 
summer.  This  was  on  the  east  side  of  the  present  road  just  above  the  fence, 
60  rods,  or  so,  north  of  Walter  H.  Britton's  house. 

In  order  to  better  accommodate  the  scholars  in  this  district  this  school  house 
was  taken  down  in  1883  and  rebuilt  on  a  lot  of  land  Elijah  B.  Mason  leased 
Sept.  14th,  of  that  year  to  school  district  No.  4,  and  where  the  building  now 
stands. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  men  in  this  district  who  paid  tax  for  moving  and 
repairing  the  school  house,  1821:  David  Allen  §2.54;  Daniel  Allen  §1.78; 
Joseph  Allen  $1.22;  Daniel  Abbott  .77;  Benjamin  Britton  $2.55;  Benjamin 
Carpenter  $2.18;  Levi  Hancock  $5.01;  William  Ritter  .70;  Stephen  Stimson 
.50;  Royal  Watkins  $2.51;  Warren  Wilbur  $1.72;  Elizur  Wright  .50;  Moses 
Wright  $2.24;  Oliver  Wright  .89;  Oliver  Wright  .89.     Total  $25.61. 

Royal  Watkins,  Joseph  B.  Abbott,  John  K.  Joslin,  Ellery  Merriam  and 
many  others  taught  in  this  district  60  or  more  years  ago. 

About  25  scholars  attended  this  school  in  1850  and  seven  in  1919. 


THE   WEST   SCHOOL  DISTRICT 

This  district  was  maintained  only  from  1803  until  1811.  A  small  school 
house  was  built  in  1803  or  '04  which  stood  on  the  north  side  of  the  "Joslin 
road"  a  short  distance  beyond  the  corner,  west  of  Edward  H.  Joslin's  dwell- 
ing house.  The  following  petition  presented  at  town  meeting  March  7,  1803, 
was  granted: 

"We,  the  Subscribers,  request  leave  to  show  that  with  regard  to 
Schooling  we  are  so  situated  that  the  advantages  of  schooling  our  Chil- 
dren are  not  equal  to  the  Money  we  expend  for  that  purpose  and  that 
by  being  formed  into  a  District  by  ourselves  we  shall  be  more  suitably 
accomodated — .  We  therefore  request  that  we  may  be  set  off  from  the 
Districts  to  which  we  at  present  belong  and  formed  into  a  school  Dis- 
trict with  sufficient  power  and  authority  to  build  and  repair  a  house  for 
the  purpose  of  schooling  if  after  mature  deliberation  you  shall  see  fit. 
Surry,  March  1,  1803. 

Thomas  Harvey,  John  Stiles,  J.  Cheever  Fowler,  Jonathan 
Harvey,  Asahel  Harvey,  Cyrus  Harvey." 

Jonathan  Harvey  collected  $10.75,  school  tax  in  1800;  a  similar  amount  was 
collected  other  years.  In  1804,  by  request,  J.  Cheever  Fowler  and  Benjamin 
Smith  were  set  off  into  the  South  West  District. 

March  12,  1811,  another  petition  to  the  town  became  necessary: 


Educational  History  223 

"That  said  West  District  is  so  small  and  the  money  so  trifling  that 
they  cannot  support  a  school  but  a  very  short  time  in  a  year,  but  if 
they  should  be  annexed  to  the  Middle  District  it  would  very  well  con- 
venience them. 
Levi  Fuller  Jonathan  Carpenter         Jonathan  Harvey 

Peter  Joslin  Jonathan  Robinson  David  Stone 

Asahel  Harvey  Jonas  Pollard  Thomas  Harvey 

Samuel  Robinson  John  Whitcomb  Samuel  Allen." 

This  petition  was  granted,  although  several  who  signed  the  same  were  then 
living  in  the  Middle  District.  What  became  of  the  school  house,  the  number 
of  scholars,  and  names  of  the  teachers,  has  not  been  ascertained. 


THE   NORTHWEST   SCHOOL  DISTRICT 

During  its  existence  this  school  district  was  unlike  others  in  town  in  that  it 
possessed  no  building,  the  scholars  attending  a  school  in  the  town  of  Walpole. 
No  action  was  taken  in  town  meeting  March,  1799,  upon  an  article  to  set  off 
a  certain  number  of  inhabitants  in  the  Northwest  part  of  Surry  to  join  with 
Walpole.  The  following  petition,  however,  was  by  a  vote  of  the  town,  granted 
on  March  2,  1801: 

"The  Petition  of  the  Subscribers  to  the  Legal  Voters  of  the  Town  of 
Surry  Humbly  Shewith  That  as  they  Annually  Pay  their  Proportion  of 
School  Taxes  in  said  Town  of  Surry  and  that  they  are  so  situated  that 
they  are  not  conveaned  by  the  school  in  their  District,  therefore  they 
Pray  that  Said  Town  will  set  them  off  or  grant  them  the  privilege  to 
pay  their  proportion  of  School  Money  to  a  Distinct  in  Walpole  where 
their  children  may  be  Greatly  Benefited  thereby,  as  in  Duty  bond  will 
ever  pray,  Surry,  February  28,  1801." 

"N.  B.     The  addition    Daniel  Marsh  Zebulon  Streeter 

will  be  very  ac-  John  Barnett  John  Marvin 

ceptable  to  our  George  Barnett  William  Hartwell 

School  District  Mathew  Dickey  Jesse  Streeter 

in  Walpole.  George  Cochran  Benjamin  Isham 

John  Marsh  Daniel  Streeter 

William   Perkins." 

Daniel  Streeter  collected  a  tax  of  $8.65  for  the  year  1802;  John  Marvin  in 
1803  collected  a  similar  amount.  Conditions  appear  to  have  been  harmonious 
in  that  part  of  the  town  for  nearly  a  score  of  years  while  the  youth  were  be- 
ing thoroughly  instructed  in  "the  three  Rs"  at  No.  7  school  in  Walpole,  fitting 
them  to  become  respected  and  useful  citizens. 

For  some  unknown  cause  which  the  records  do  not  reveal,  it  was  voted  in 
town  meeting  in  March  1819,  to  concentrate  the  Northwest  and  the  North 
school  district  into  one  school. 

We  have  no  knowledge  of  the  number  of  pupils  in  that  part  of  Surry  dur- 
ing that  period,  nor  the  name  of  any  of  their  Walpole  teachers. 


224  History  of  Surry 

SURRY  SELECT  SCHOOL 

September  5,  1842,  Rev.  Luther  J.  Fletcher  opened  a  school  with  about  40 
pupils. 

In  1857  or  '58,  S.  Harrison  Porter  kept  a  select  school  in  the  village  school 
house  with  about  30  scholars,  and  George  W.  Britton  in  1859: 

Surry  July  18,  1859, 
Surry  Select  School  will  begin  Aug.  31,    (Wednesday)    and  continue 
for  eleven  weeks  under  the  charge  of  George  W.  Britton,  Principal;  Miss 
Persis   E.   Harvey,   Assistant   and   W.    H.    Starkweather   as   teacher   of 
Penmanship.     Tuition  and  board,  $3.00  to  $4.00  per  week. 

— From  Keene  Sentinel. 

This  school  was  maintained  for  about  three  winter  terms,  then  ceased. 

SURRY  COMMON  SCHOOL  ASSOCIATION 

This  association  was  organized  and  the  first  officers  chosen,  Jan.  6,  1858. 

Preamble 

Believing  that  a  Common  School  Association  in  the  town  will  be  conducive 
of  interest  to  Scholars,  Teachers,  Parents  and  the  friends  of  Education,  and 
will  have  a  tendency  to  promote  a  union  of  feeling  and  harmony  of  effect  in 
the  common  cause;  Therefore  we  resolve  to  form  ourselves  into  such  an  asso- 
ciation and  be  governed  by  the  following  constitution  and  by  laws. 

Constitution 

Art.  i.  This  assocciation  shall  be  known  as  the  Surry  Common  School  As- 
sociation. 

Art.  ii.  It  shall  be  under  the  direction  of  a  President,  two  Vice  Presidents,  a 
Secretary  and  five  directors. 

Art.  iii.  This  association  shall  choose  its  officers  annually  on  the  evening  of 
the  second  Wednesday  in  December. 

Art.  iv.  This  association  shall  meet  once  in  two  weeks  during  the  months  of 
Jan.  Feb.,  and  Dec. 

Art.  V.  Any  person  will  be  considered  a  member  of  this  associaton  who  will 
take  part  in  its  exercises. 

Art.  vi.  This  Constitution  and  By  Laws  may  be  remended  at  any  regular 
meeting  of  the  Association. 

By-Laws 

Sec.     i.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  President  to  preside  over  the  meeting  and 

preserve  order. 
Sec.    ii.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Vice  President  to  perform  the  duty  of  the 

President  in  his  absence. 
Sec.  iii.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Secretary  to  keep  a  record  of  the  meeting 

and  report  when  required. 
Sec.  iv.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Directors  to  determine  what  exercises  may 

come  before  the  Association,  and  to  attend  to  the  general  business 

of  the  same. 


Social  History  225 

Sec.    V.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  every  member  to  assist  in  the  exercises  and 
give  their  influence  to   sustain   order,   and   make  the   meeting   in- 
structive and  interesting. 
John  K.  Joslin  was  chosen  first  president,  and  George  H.  Joslin  the  first 
secretary.     No  other  officers,  or  records  of  this   association  have  been   dis- 
covered.    It  is  probable  it  had  but  short  existence. 


THE   SURRY   LITERARY   CLUB 

This  club  was  organized  and  the  first  meeting  held  Dec.  28,  1853.  For 
several  years  it  was  in  a  flourishing  and  prosperous  condition.  Lyceums  took 
place  in  the  village  school  house  and  in  the  old  meeting  house  during  the 
winter  months,  and  many  of  the  debates  were  spirited  and  animated.  The 
club  held  meetings  until  about  1856,  and  later  the  Surry  Common  School 
Association  was  organized. 

The  Surry  Literary  Club  Preamble: 

Whereas  we  the  undersigned  consider  the  practice  of  writing  and  speaking 
conducive  to  the  improvement  of  the  young,  we  do  hereby  form  ourselves  into 
a  society  for  the  purpose,  and  adopt  the  following  constitution  and  by-laws 
for  the  government  of  the  same. 

Constitution 

Art.     i.  This  society  shall  be  known  as  the  Surry  Literary  Club. 

Art.  ii.  The  officers  of  this  Club  shall  consist  of  a  President,  vice-President, 
Secretary  and  five  Directors. 

Art.  iii.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  President  to  preside  at  all  meetings  of 
the  Club  &  of  the  vice  President  to  preside  in  his  absence. 

Art.  iv.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Secretary  to  keep  a  faithful  record  of  the 
doings  of  the  Club,  report  the  same,  post  notices,  etc. 

Art.  V.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Directors  to  manage  the  general  affairs 
of  the  Club. 

Art.  vi.  Any  person  may  become  a  member  of  the  Club  by  signing  the  con- 
stitution. 

Art.  vii.  This  constitution  may  be  altered  or  amended  at  any  regular  meet- 
ing of  the  Club. 

By-Laws 

Art.  i.  The  meetings  of  this  Club  shall  be  held  on  Wednesday  evening  of 
each  week  at  the  center  school  house. 

Art.  ii.  The  exercises  of  this  Club  shall  consist  of  debates,  essays,  declama- 
tions, etc. 

Art.  iii.  The  officers  of  this  Club  shall  hold  their  offices  for  two  weeks. 

Art.  iv.  The  board  of  directors  shall  consist  of  two  members  of  the  Club 
who  shall  act  in  connection  with  the  President,  vice  President  and 
Secretary. 

Art.  V.  The  by-laws  of  this  Club  may  be  altered  as  may  from  time  to  time 
be  necessary. 


15 


226 


History  of  Surry 


The  first  officers  were:  Pres.,  George  K.  Harvey;  vice  pres.,  George  A.  Ste- 
vens; sec,  Sewall  F.  Rugg.  These,  with  Charles  Davis  and  John  C.  Brown, 
formed  the  board  of  directors. 

The  following  were  the  charter  members,  or  became  members  soon  after 
the  club  was  organized: 


George  K.  Harvey 
George  A.  Stevens 
Francis  A.  Allen 
John  C.  Brown 
Charles  Davis 
George  W.  Benton 
Sewall  F.  Rugg 
George  E.  Holbrook 
Rufus  H.  Stone 
Luman  M.  Carpenter 
Marshal   B.   Britton 
George  H.  Joslin 

The  club  prospered  and  the  debates  were  filled  with  zeal  and  much  local 
talent  was  exerted.  New  members  were  added  so  that  one  year  later  the  fol- 
lowing had  joined: 


John  K.  Joslin 
John  L.  Foss 
Charles   A.    Whitney 
Joseph  B.  Abbott 
Artemas  A.  Adams 
Thomas  S.  Rice 
Rufus  Mason 
Dr.  John  Petts 
J.  C.  Carpenter 
J.  Carpenter 
John  Adams 


Charlotte   B.   Ellis 
Sarah  B.  Harvey 
Sarah  J.  Woodward 
Rosanna  A.  Crehore 
Mary  S.  Stone 
Lucy  M.  Gushing 
Persis  E.  Harvey 
Mary  A.  Joslin 
Sarah  R.  Joslin 
Mary  E.  Dort 
Lucv  A.  Allen. 


William  Carpenter 
Elliot  C.  Scovel 
Henry  J,  Day 
Asahel  H.  Crehore 
Edward  A.  Kingsbury 
Lewis  S.  Woodward 
James  S.  Carpenter 
Andrew  J.  Allen 
G.  Milton  Reed 
John   A.   Wilcox 


Wm.  Wallace  Wilcox 
C.  Wharton  Wilcox 
Henry   H.   Wilcox 
Geo.  H.  McCoy 
Luther  A.  Wilkins 
Davis  Carpenter 


Pamelia  A.  Gushing 
Julia  A.  Tyler 
Caroline  A.  Durrell 
Celuda  J.  Tufts 
Sabra  M.  Tufts 
Ellen  E.  Gushing 
Susan  A.  Gushing 
Louisa  M.  Holbrook 
Mary  J.  Holbrook 
Sarah  E.  Stone 


The  meetings  of  the  club  were  always  well  attended  and  from  a  few  of  the 
subjects  under  debate  it  would  appear  the  members  wex'e  well  advanced  for 
the  times; — Resolved,  that  the  world  grows  better;  that  the  Maine  Liquor 
law  is  unconstitutional;  that  the  tide  of  foreign  emigration  ought  to  be 
checked;  that  the  learned  professions  offer  to  the  young  inducements  equal 
to  other  employments. 

George  K.  Harvey  and  J.  C.  Brown  in  the  affirmative  and  Artemas  A. 
Adams  and  Charles  Whitney  in  the  negative  discussed  and  debated  the  sub- 
ject; resolved  that  the  females  should  be  entitled  to  the  same  political  and 
educational  privileges  as  the  male.  The  record  tells  us  that  interesting  re- 
marks were  made  on  both  sides  of  this  question  by  volunteers,  and  it  was  de- 
cided by  the  house  11  in  the  negative  and  10  in  the  affirmative.  The  board 
of  decision,  however,  decided  in  favor  of  the  affirmative. 

"Resolved:  That  wealth  exerts  a  greater  influence  over  mankind  than 
talent,"  was  debated  and  decided  in  the  affirmative  by  the  full  board  of  de- 
cision one  evening. 

George  Henry  Joslin  and  A.  J.  Allen  in  the  affirmative  and  John  K.  Joslin 
and  Marshall  Britton  in  the  negative  debated  the  question:     "Has  intemper- 


Social  History  227 

ance  caused  more  misery  than  war?"     The  club  voted  "no"  on  this  question, 
but  the  board  of  decision  voted  in  the  affirmative. 

Declamations,  music,  and  a  paper  edited  by  the  female  members  of  the 
club  were  a  part  of  the  order  of  exercises.  The  following  is  a  sample  of  the 
club  meetings: 

"Surry  Literary  Club  for  mental  improvement  met  at  the  appointed 
time  (6-30  P.  M.)  March  8th,  1854.  Called  to  order  by  the  President 
A.  A.  Adams,  heard  the  proceedings  of  the  last  meeting  read  by  the 
Secretary,  H.  Hayward. 

Order  of  Exercises 

1.  Salutory  by  Ellery  Merriam. 

2.  Song  by  Messrs.   Rugg,   Stevens  &  Britton.     "I'll  hang  my  harp  on  a 

willow  tree." 

3.  Declamation  by  George  H.  Joslin.     Subject,  "The  Devils  Bridge." 

4.  Debate  on  the  Resolution — That  African  slavery  has  reached  the  Zenith 

of  its  glory  in  the  United  States." 

Disputants — 
Aff.  E.  A.  Darby.  Neg.  G.  K.  Harvey. 

5.  Decision  of  the  question  in  the  negative. 

6.  Reading  of  the  Diadem  by  the  editors,  Misses  E.  E.  Joslin  &  P.  E.  Har- 

vey. 

7.  Declamation  by  E.  Merriam. 

8.  Poetical  essay  by  E.  A.  Darby. 

9.  Colloquy  by  9  young  ladies. 

10.  A  play  from  the  Lady  of  the  Lake.    In  7  acts. 

11.  Song,  "My  Highland  Home,"  by  Messrs.  Rugg,  Stevens  and  Britton. 

12.  Reading  of  the  Diadem  by  the  editors. 

13.  Declamation  by  J.  K.  Joslin. 

14.  Comedy  by  J.  K.  Joslin  and  H.  H.  Hayward. 

15.  Recitation  by  George  K.  Harvey.     Subject,  "The  Maniac." 

16.  Song,  "The  Dismal  Swamp,"  by  Messrs.  Rugg,  Stevens  and  Britton. 

17.  Valedictory  by  A.  A.  Adams. 

Nov.  1,  1854,  the  constitution  was  changed,  a  treasurer  was  added  to  the  list 
of  officers,  and  the  number  of  directors  changed  to  three.  The  by-laws  were 
also  revised;  treasurer  and  directors  were  chosen  annually,  other  officers 
every  two  weeks.  The  place  of  meeting  was  the  new  meeting-house,  and  a 
new  article  was  added  which  read: 

"Art.  7.  The  Club  shall  close  its  meetings  at  9%  o'clock;  the  apportionment 
of  time  to  be  left  to  the  directors.  Provided  that  the  Club  may  vote 
to  extend  the  time  an  hour  if  in  their  opinion  it  would  be  condusive 
to  the  interest  of  the  meeting." 

The  last  meeting  of  the  club  was  held  in  1855  probably.  A  few  years 
later  the  Common  School  association  was  organized  on  a  similar  plan  as  the 
Literary  club. 


228  History  of  Surry 

SURRY  SOCIAL  LIBRARY 

This  library  was  incorporated  in  1802  by  an  act  of  the  New  Hampshire 
legislature  and  continued  to  exist  for  a  period  of  about  45  years.  As  will 
here-in-after  be  seen,  the  proprietors  had  authority  to  elect  new  officers,  im- 
pose fines  and  penalties  upon  its  members  and  in  fact  transact  all  business  as 
occasion  required. 

State  of  New  Hampshire, 

In  the  year  of  our  Lord,  one  thousand,  eight  hundred  and  two.  An 
Act  for  incorporating  certain  persons  by  the  name  of  the  Proprietors 
of  the  Social  Library  in  Surry. 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  the  House  of  Representative  in  Gen- 
eral Court  convened,  that  Perley  Howe,  Nathan  Estabrook,  Lemuel 
Holmes  and  Jonathan  Robinson  and  their  associates,  Proprietors  of  said 
Library  and  all  such  as  may  hereafter  become  Proprietors  of  the  same, 
be,  and  they  hereby  are  incorporated  into  a  Body  Politick  by  the  name 
of  Proprietors  of  the  Social  Library  in  Surry  with  continuation  and 
succession  forever;  and  in  short  they  may  sue  and  be  sued  in  all  actions 
pers  X  X  X  X  X  X  X  ,and  they  are  hereby  vested  with  all  the 
powers  and  privileges  incident  to  corporations  of  that  nature,  and  may 
injoin  penalties  of  disfranchisement  or  fines  not  exceeding  four  dollars 
for  each  offence  to  be  recovered  by  said  society  in  an  action  of  debt  for 
their  use  in  any  Court  proper  to  try  the  same  and  may  make  purchase, 
receive  subscription  &  donations  or  grants  of  personal  estates  not  ex- 
ceeding one  thousand  dollars  for  the  purposes  and  use  of  their  associa- 
tion. 

And  be  it  further  enacted,  that  the  said  Society  be  and  they  hereby 
are  authorized  to  assemble  at  Surry  aforesaid  on  the  first  Monday  in 
April  annually  to  choose  all  such  officers  as  may  be  necessary  for  the 
orderly  conducting  the  affairs  of  said  Corporation  who  shall  continue 
in  office  until  others  are  chosen  in  their  room,  and  that  said  Corporation 
may  assemble  as  often  as  may  be  found  necessary  for  filling  up  any 
vacancies  which  may  happen  in  said  office  and  for  transacting  all  other 
business  excepting  the  raising  of  money  which  shall  always  be  done  at 
the  annual  meeting  and  at  no  other  time,  at  which  time  they  shall  vote 
all  necessary  sums  for  defraying  the  annual  expense  of  preserving  said 
Library,  and  for  enlarging  the  same,  and  said  Corporation  shall  have 
power  to  make  such  rules  and  bye-laws  for  the  government  of  said  so- 
ciety as  may  from  time  to  time  be  found  necessary,  providing  the  same 
be  not  repugnant  to  the  Constitution  and  laws  of  this  State. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  that  Lemuel  Holmes  Esquire  is  hereby  au- 
thorized and  impowered  to  call  the  first  meeting  of  said  Proprietors  at 
such  time  and  place  as  he  may  appoint  by  posting  up  a  notification 
(illegible;  but  possibly,  thus — of  such  meeting)  in  said  Surry  at  least 
fifteen  days  prior  to — x  x  illegible  x  x — the  Porprietors  at  said 
meeting  shall  have — x  x  x  x — choose  officers  and  make  bye-laws — 
XXX     X — Act  at  their  annual  meeting. 


Social  History 


229 


State  of  New  Hampshire 

In  the  House  of  Representative  June  9,  1802 

The   foregoing    Bill    having   had   three   several    readings    passed   to   be 
enacted.     Sent  up  for  concurrence.     John  Prentice  Speaker. 

In  Senate  June  10th,  1802. 

This  Bill  having  been  read  a  third  time  was  enacted. 

Amos  Shepard     President.  J.  T.  Oilman     Govnr. 

Approved  June  10th,  1802.     A  true  copy  examined.     P.  J.  Pearson  Secy. 
The  list  of  officers  and  minutes  of  meetings  of  the  Social  Library  prior  to 
1815  have  not  been  discovered.    In  1818  there  were  31  members  or  proprietors, 
as  follows : 


1. 

Rev.  Perley  Howe 

17. 

2. 

Nathan  Estabrook 

18. 

3. 

Jonathan  Robinson 

19. 

4. 

Jesse  Streeter 

20. 

5. 

Alfred  Carpenter 

21, 

6. 

John  McCurdy 

22. 

7. 

Peter  Joslin  Jr. 

23. 

8. 

Dr.  Philip  Monroe 

24. 

9. 

Samuel  Hills 

25. 

10. 

Capt.  Samuel  Allen 

26. 

11. 

Obadiah  Reed 

27. 

12. 

Ezra  Carpenter 

28. 

13. 

Moses^  Field's  heirs 

29. 

14. 

Levi  Hancock 

30. 

15. 

Gaylord  Wilcox's  heirs 

31. 

16. 

Eliphalet  Dort 

Levi  Fuller 

Josiah  Knight 

Peter  Joslin 

James  McCurdy 

Samuel  Robinson 

Asahel  Harvey 

Maj.  Nathan  Hayward 

Alexander  Ralston's  heirs 

Eliphaz  Field 

Phinehas  Allen's  heirs 

Eli  Dort 

Samuel  Allen 

Benjamin  Gould 

William  Holbrook 

Moses  Hill 


May  7,  1815  it  was  voted  to  choose  a  committee  of  four  to  revise  the  con- 
stitution and  make  such  alterations  and  amendments  in  the  by-laws  as  may 
be  for  the  benefit  of  the  corporation.  The  committee  chosen  for  that  purpose 
were:  Samuel  Hills,  Esq.,  Asahel  Harvey,  Rev.  Perley  Howe  and  Dr.  Philip 
Monroe. 


February  23,  1818  the  purchasing  committee  reported  the  following  books 
bought  and  deposited  in  the  library: 


Bonaparte's    Campaign   in    Russia. 
Russell's    History   of  the   American 

War. 
Complaint  of  Peace. 
Management  of  the  Tongue. 
Letters — Elder  Brother  to  Younger, 


Winchester's  Dialogues. 
History  of  the  Shaking  Quakers. 
Wars  of  the  Jews. 
Locke  on  Christianity. 


Asahel  Harvey,  Purchasing  Committee. 

Ten  years  later  Surry  Social  Library  was  in  a  flourishing  condition  and 
probably  reached  the  apex  of  its  existence  within  a  few  years. 


230 


History  of  Surry 


The  following  Memorandum  of  Shares  were  sold  at  auction,  by  Jonathan 
Robinson,  Jr.,  Apr.  7,  1828  for  the  payment  of  taxes  of  said  shares: 


Name  of  Purchasers. 

Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr. 

Dr.  Philip  Monroe 

Benjamin  Hills 

Capt.  E.  Dort 

Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr. 

Dr.  Jonathan  E.  Davis 

Jonathan    Robinson,    Jr. 

Capt.  E.  Dort 

Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr. 

Dr.  Jonathan  E.   Davis 

Obed  Dort 

Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr. 

Ichabod  Crane 

Jonathan    Robinson,   Jr. 

Dr.  Jonathan  E.  Davis 

Capt.  E.  Dort 

Dr.  Jonathan   E.  Davis 

Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr. 

Obed  Dort 

Jonathan   Robinson,  Jr. 

Same 

Capt.  E.  Dort 

Ichabod  Crane 

Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr. 

Same 

Benjamin   Hills 

Jonathan    Robinson,    Esq. 

Obed  Dort 

Samuel  Robinson 

Joseph  Whitcomb 

Benjamin  Hills 

Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr. 

Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr. 

Joseph   Whitcomb 

Obed  Dort 

Capt.  E.  Dort 

Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr. 

Obed  Dort 

Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr. 

Rev.  Perley  Howe 

Dr.  Jonathan   E.  Davis 

Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr. 

During  the  existence  of  this  corporation  the  library  doubtless  was  kept  in 
dwelling  houses  among  its  members — the  last  place  being  in  Eliphaz  Field's 


Name  of  Proprietors. 

No. 

Benjamin  Proctor 

7 

Dr.  Philip  Monroe 

8 

Samuel  Hills    (deceased) 

9 

Esq.  David  Shaw 

10 

Obadiah  Reed 

11 

Dr.  Jonathan  E.  Davis 

13 

Levi  Hancock 

14 

Gaylord  Wilcox,  heirs 

15 

Luke  Joslin 

19 

Dr.  Jonathan  E.  Davis 

20 

Maj.  Nathan  Howard — Hayward 

23 

Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr. 

24 

Eliphaz  Field 

25 

Phinehas  Allen,  heirs 

26 

Dr.  Jonathan  E.  Davis 

28 

Elihu  Dort 

29 

William  Holbrook,  heirs 

30 

Samuel  Robinson 

31 

Obed  Dort 

32 

Jonathan  Robinson,  Sr. 

33 

Otis  Daggett 

34 

Jonas  Pollard 

35 

Francis  Holbrook 

37 

Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr. 

38 

Elihu  Dort 

39 

Samuel  Hills 

40 

James  Hatch 

41 

Benjamin  E.  Webster 

43 

Warren  Carpenter                                 «        44 

Silas  Perry 

45 

Louisa  Perry 

46 

Thomas  Humphrey 

47 

Peter  Hayward 

49 

Henry  Britton 

50 

Henry  Britton 

53 

Daniel  Marsh 

54 

Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr. 

55 

Isaiah  Wilder 

56 

John  May,  heirs 

57 

Samuel  Robinson 

60 

Dr.  Jonathan  E.  Davis 

61 

Polly  Withington 

62 

Social  History  231 

house,  now  the  home  place,  of  Frank  E.  Ellis.  The  old  book  case  for  so  many 
years  connected  with  this  library  is  now  in  the  hands  of  Mrs.  Helen  (Ellis) 
Harris,  of  Keene. 

THE  REED  FREE  LIBRARY 

Through  the  generosity  of  two  sons  of  Surry — Charles  Daggett  Reed  and 
Gideon  F.  T.  Reed — this  town  and  her  citizens  have  received  during  the  past 
40  years  a  direct  benefit,  not  only  financially  but  mentally,  as  well. 

At  a  legal  town  meeting  duly  notified  and  held  at  Surry  on  the  1 7th  of  July 
1880: 

Art.  1,  Chose  George  K.  Harvey  moderator. 

Art.  2,  "To  see  what  action  the  town  will  take  in  relation  to  the  furnishing 
of  a  suitable  place  for  the  keeping  of  the  Library  donated  to  the  town 
by  the  children  of  the  late  David  Reed,  Jr.,  and  to  pass  any  vote  re- 
lating thereto,  and  appropriate  or  raise  money  to  carry  out  said  vote," 
it  was, 

Voted:  to  choose  a  Committee  of  three — Dr.  William  H.  Porter, 
George  K.  Harvey  and  Charles  Wharton  Wilcox — to  make  inquiries 
in  relation  to  what  can  be  done  in  the  matter  of  a  building  for  the 
Library  and  report  at  an  adjourned  meeting. 

Voted  to  adjourn  to  August  7th,  next  at  four  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment  August  7th,  1880:     On  Motion, 

Voted,  that  the  Town  accept  the  proposition  of  George  W.  Britton 
to  terminate  his  lease  of  the  town  building  (Town  Hall),  and  proceed 
to  a  final  settlement  according  to  the  terms  of  the  lease. 

Voted,  that  the  town  finish  off  the  west  half  of  the  lower  Story  of 
the  Town  Hall  Building,  suitable  for  a  Library  room,  and  present  it 
to  the  Trustees  of  the  Reed  Free  Library,  for  the  use  of  the  Library. 

Voted,  to  choose  a  Committee  of  three  by  nomination  to  finish  off 
the  room  for  the  Library;  Chose  John  H.  Rogers,  Charles  W.  Wilcox 
and  George  K.  Harvey  for  said  Committee. 

Voted  to  appropriate  Two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars    (§250.00)   now 
in  the  Treasui-y  to  fit  up  the  room  for  the  Library. 
August  7th  1880.     "The  following  Resolution  was  passed  unanimously  by  a 
rising  vote : 

"Whereas  the  children  of  the  late  David  Reed  have  very  generously 
remembered  their  native  Town,  by  paying  the  town  debt  of  forty  five 
hundred  dollars  ($4500.00),  and  giving  a  further  sum  of  five  thousand 
dollars   ($5000.00)  to  establish  a  free  Library,  therefore, 

"Resolved — That  the  Citizens  of  Surry  in  town  Meeting  assembled 
accept  the  Magnificent  gift  and  with  hearty  thanks  ans  Greatful  bene- 
dictions for  the  donars,  enter  this  resolution  in  the  records  of  the 
Town — 

"On  motion  voted  to  adjourn  without  day — . 
A  true  record  Attest.  •  W.  H.  Porter  Town  Clerk." 


232  History  of  Surry 

At  a  Town  Meeting  Nov.  2,  1880:     On  motion, 

Voted  to  request  the  Trustees  of  the  Library  to  keep  the  Library 
open  for  the  accomodation  of  the  public  one  day  in  each  week,  also 
voted  to  pay  the  Librarian  fifty  dollars  a  year,  to  be  paid  quarterly. 

This  document  which  has  hung  on  the  wall  of  the  Reed  Free  Library  for 
over  20  years  is  supposed  to  be  a  copy  of  the  original  articles  drawn  by  the 
donors  of  the  Library: 

The  children  of  the  late  David  Reed,  Jr.,  of  Surry,  N.  H.  propose  to 
donate  to  the  town;  First,  $4500.00  to  pay  off  the  amount  of  the  tovni 
debt  in  full  as  now  estimated  up  to  July  1,  1880,  and  also  a  further  sum 
of  $5000.00  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  Free  Library  for  their  na- 
tive town,  on  the  following  conditions,  viz. : 

1st.  It  shall  be  free  to  all  the  citizens  of  the  town,  and  open  one  day  in 
every  week  for  the  accomodation  of  the  people,  loan  of  books,  etc. 

2nd.  In  the  selection  of  Books,  they  shall  consist  mainly  of  Standard 
Works  on  Agriculture,  Mechanics,  History,  Biography  and  the  useful 
Sciences,  and  such  generally  as  are  best  adapted  for  the  instruction 
and  entertainment  of  the  people  old  and  young. 

3rd.  The  doners  shall  nominate  and  appoint  not  less  than  five  persons 
of  the  town  to  organize,  make  by-laws,  rules  and  penalties  for  the 
safe  keeping  and  management  of  the  Library,  and  all  vacancies  there- 
after from  any  cause  shall  be  filled  by  the  remaining  members,  who 
may  be  male,  female  or  both,  that  may  be  considered  most  competent 
and  willing  to  serve  gratuitously;  they  may  however,  employ  a  com- 
petent person  as  librarian  at  the  expense  of  the  town  or  by  voluntary 
subscription  as  they  may  deem  best,  and  consider  most  desirable  at 
a  proper  compensation. 

4th.     (Nothing  appears  on  the  paper  under  this  article). 

5th.  There  shall  be  no  distinction  or  preference  for  or  against  any  sect, 
or  party,  either  in  religion  or  politics;  all  persons  of  good  repute  and 
habits  to  share  equally  in  the  benefits  and  use  of  the  library. 

6th.  The  committee  or  trustees  named  shall  have  the  privilege  and  are 
authorized  to  expend  a  sum  not  exceeding  $500.00  of  the  fund  to  fit 
up  and  furnish  with  proper  shelving,  cases  and  other  necessary  fur- 
niture in  the  town  hall  or  any  other  place  they  may  select  for  the 
safe  use  and  convenience  of  the  library,  and  comfortable  accomoda- 
tions for  the  visitors  and  ofiicers. 

7th.  The  doners  now  nominate  and  appoint  as  a  committee  or  trustees 
to  carry  out  the  foregoing; 


Social  History  233 

George  K.  Harvey,  William  H.  Porter,  M.  D.,  C.  Wharton  Wilcox, 
Persis  E.  Harvey  and  Nancy  A.  Reed,  who  shall  elect  when  organized 
one  of  their  number  chairman,  and  a  secretary  and  treasurer,  who 
shall  keep  a  correct  account  of  all  outlays  and  record  of  their  official 
acts. 

"The  Reed  Free  Library"  was  opened  Jan.  1,  1881,  with  757  volumes.    Mary 

E.  Wilcox,  librarian,  which  office  she  held  until  her  death  in  1899.     Francis 

F.  Field  was  her  successor.  In  1909  he  was  succeeded  by  Minnie  Harvey,  who 
still  holds  the  office  (1923).  The  Library  numbers  at  this  time  4364  volumes. 
In  1923  Lois  Anderson  was  chosen  assistant-librarian. 

During  the  fall  of  1921  under  the  direction  of  Miss  Grace  Kingsland  of  the 
State  Library  Commission,  a  more  systematic  and  up-to-date  arrangement  of 
the  books  in  the  library  was  made.  A  card  catalogue  was  installed,  juvenile 
books  assigned  to  one  corner  of  the  library,  reference  books  made  more  read- 
ily accessible,  current  fiction,  magazines,  works  of  science  given  a  prominent 
place  on  the  delivery  table,  and  other  changes  were  made. 

None  of  the  Trustees  appointed  by  the  donors  are  now  living.  The  present 
board  consists  of  Hollis  W.  Harvey,  chairman;  Myron  H.  Porter,  treasurer; 
Grace  E.  Stillings,  secretary;  Mary  C.  Wilcox,  Helen  J.  Reed. 


MUSIC 


So  far  as  ascertained.  Rev.  Luther  J.  Fletcher  taught  the  first  singing- 
school  in  town.  This  was  held  in  the  village  school-house  and  began  March  2, 
1842.  He  was  succeeded  a  few  years  later  by  Nathan  D.  Reed.  Mr.  Reed,  who 
possessed  considerable  natural  musical  ability,  also  played  the  violin  and  bass 
viol. .  He  had  some  40  pupils  in  his  school  and  on  Sundays  they  all  came  out 
to  assist  in  the  music  in  the  old  meeting  house.  An  old  resident  stated,  "and 
never  has  Surry  heard  such  swell  music." 

Sewall  Rugg  opened  a  school  about  1849  in  the  northwest  room  in  his  house, 
No.  30.  Later  he  taught  in  the  hall  in  the  ell  of  Frank  E.  Nesmith's  house, 
No.  68. 

A  Mr.  Gilpatrick  taught  singing  school  in  the  village  school  house  1852-3, 
and  he  was  succeeded  by  a  Mr.  Partridge  from  East  Alstead  or  Marlow.  Mr. 
Olson  L.  Mason  of  Keene  taught  one  term  in  village  school  house,  about  1900, 
and  there  probably  were  others. 


STEVENS  BAND 

This  band  was  composed  of  Almond,  George  and  Holland  Stevens,  Nathan 
D.  Reed,  John  A.  Gushing,  Hiram  Britton  and  Henry  H.  Wilcox,  although, 


234  History  of  Surry 

not  all  were  members  of  the  band  at  same  time.  For  several  seasons  this 
band  went  about  playing  at  balls,  not  only  in  Surry  and  adjoining  towns,  but 
Windsor  and  Windham  counties  in  Vermont. 


DANCING  SCHOOL 

Abijah  Benton  taught  dancing  school  in  town  prior  to  1835,  being  suc- 
ceeded by  John  Langdon  Britton  before  1845,  who  by  his  long  experience  in 
and  near  Boston,  was  an  able  instructor.  Tradition  says  none  knew  the  step 
better  than  "Lang  Britton."  Almond  Stevens  opened  a  school  in  the  village 
hotel  "ball  room"  in  1855  or  '56  with  30  or  40  scholars.  George  A.  Stevens 
had  a  class  of  25  to  30  pupils  during  the  winter,  1873-'74,  and  George  Long  of 
Alstead  kept  a  school  of  about  the  same  number  of  pupils  during  1894-5. 


THE  SURRY  OLD  HOME  WEEK  ASSOCIATION 

Inspired  by  one  of  the  noblest  sentiments  that  can  stir  the  human  heart 
Gov.  Frank  W,  Rollins  established  the  Old  Home  Week  in  New  Hampshire  in 
1899.  That  year  Surry  became  interested  in  the  movement  and  formed  an  as- 
sociation, June  29th,  and  the  following  officers  were  chosen:  President, 
Charles  H.  Blake;  first  vice  president,  Henry  A.  Pike;  second  vice  president, 
Frederick  R.  Grain;  secretary  and  treasurer,  Frank  E.  Nesmith;  executive 
committee,  James  D.  Carter,  Harrison  N.  Scripture,  and  Myron  H.  Porter. 

The  day  was  first  observed  in  Surry,  Wednesday  Aug.  30,  1899  at  "Carter's 
grove,"  now  the  "Wright  grove."  With  the  exception  of  1918  the  day  has 
been  observed  each  year  since  that  date.  In  1919  special  exercises  were  held 
to  celebrate  the  one  hundred  and  fiftieth  anniversary  of  the  incorporation  of 
the  town.    The  following  is  abridged  from  an  old  invitation : 

"The  citizens  of  Surry  having  formed  a  local  Old  Home  Week  Asso- 
ciation, send  greetings.  All  people  now  living  in  town,  or  former  resi- 
dents thereof,  are  members  of  this  Association  without  further  action. 
This  association  cordially  invites  you  to  return  and  celebrate  the  occa- 
sion at  James  D.  Carter's  Grove  on  Friday  Aug.  17,  1900.  If  stormy, 
at  the  Town  Hall." 

Mrs.  Marietta  C.  Wright  purchased  the  Grove  about  1906  and  upon  her 
death  bequeathed  it  to  the  town  of  Svirry. 

The  following  table  gives  date  of  celebration  and  officers : 


Social  History 


235 


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236 


History  of  Surry 


The  celebration  has  been  held  at  the  Carter-Wright  grove  each  year  when 
pleasant,  except  in  1919,  when  exercises  were  held  at  the  hall  in  the  forenoon 
and  afternoon  at  the  grove. 

THE  WRIGHT  GROVE 

For  many  years  this  pine  grove  was  on  a  portion  of  the  Crehore  farm.  No. 
24.  Amos  H.,  James  D.  and  Selwin  I.  Carter  owned  the  property.  The  latter 
sold  to  Herbert  R.  Grain  May  9,  1904.  Mrs.  Marietta  C.  Wright  learning  it 
was  to  be  cut  over  purchased  the  property  and  upon  her  death  bequeathed  it 
to  the  town  of  Surry.  The  Surry  Old  Home  Week  Association  have  held  their 
annual  celebration  in  this  grove. 

A  boulder  was  placed  here  upon  which  a  bronze  tablet  with  the  following 
inscriptions  was  unveiled : 


'I   GIVE,   DEVISE    AND   BEQUEATH    TO    THE 

TOWN  OF  SURRY,  THE  'OLD  HOME  WEEK 

PINE  GROVE,'  TO  HAVE  AND  TO  HOLD 

THE  SAME  IN  FEE  SIMPLE  FOREVER." 

MARIETTA  C.  WRIGHT 


THIS  TABLET  IS  ERECTED  BY 

THE  PEOPLE  OF  SURRY 

IN   APPRECIATION   OF   THIS   GIFT. 

DEDICATED  AUG.  23,  1922. 


FRATERNITIES 


MASONIC  ORDER 

The  first  fraternity  to  meet  and  hold  meetings  within  our  borders,  as  is  the 
case  in  many  other  towns,  was  that  of  the  Masonic  Lodge.  Although  there 
were  several  members  living  in  town  during  the  first  half  of  the  last  century, 
we  have  no  complete  list  and  but  little  can  now  be  gathered  from  the  Lodges 
in  Keene  and  Alstead,  concerning  the  order  here. 

In  the  old  hall  on  the  second  floor  in  Capt.  Simon  Baxter's  tavern — the  late 
Shaw  house  at  "Shaw's  Corner" — the  Masonic  body  held  their  meetings  in 
Surry.  The  compasses  used  in  building  the  Surry  Lodge  are  now  in  the  pos- 
session of  J.  V.  Stillings.  St.  Paul's  Lodge  was  instituted  at  Alstead  Centre 
June  11,  1818  and  about  1840  moved  to  what  was  long  known  as  Paper  Mill 
Village,  in  the  north  part  of  that  town — now,  Alstead  village. 


Fraternities  237 

In  18G2  a  fire  destroyed  their  Hall  and  practically  all  their  records.  It  is 
known,  however,  that  in  the  early  years  of  that  lodge  meetings  were  held  for 
the  benefit  of  their  out  of  town  members  in  "halls"  fitted  up  for  the  occasion 
in  each  locality.  Quite  probably  the  Surry  Lodge  was  connected  with  St. 
Paul's  Lodge  of  Alstead. 

The  following  is  a  partial  list  of  men  who  have  been  members  of  that 
fraternity,  who  have  lived  in  Surry  at  some  time  or  have  in  some  way  been 
connected  with  the  town : 

Rev.  Clement  Sumner,  pastor  of  the  Congregational  church  in  Keene. 

Capt.  Simon  Baxter,  Jr.  of  Alstead  and  Suri'y. 

Alexander  Ralston,  who  had  interests  in  Keene,  Surry  and  Claremont. 

Peleg  Sprague,  of  Keene,  owned  property  in  Surry;  possibly  lived  here. 

Samuel  McCurdy,  who  lived  in  south  part  of  Surry  for  many  years. 

James  Kingsbury — probably  the  man  of  that  name  living  in  Surry  in  1796. 

Rev.  Perley  Howe,  pastor  of  Surry  church  over  forty  years. 

Capt.  Thomas  Humphrey,  a  sea-captain  and  inn-keeper  in  Surry. 

Silas  Perry,  Sr.,  of  Keene;  owned  property  and  possibly  once  lived  in  Surry, 

Asa  Wilcox,  Jr.,  a  life  long  resident  of  Surry. 

Henry  H.  Wilcox,  a  Surry  man;  lived  and  died  in  Keene. 

Augustus  Johnson,  a  resident  of  the  town  for  many  years. 

Jasper  N.  Keller 

Albert  E.  Vincellette 

L.  C.  Stillings 

J.  V.  Stillings 

Samuel  Ball 

Francis  Bain 

Henry  L.  Phillips 

Chas.  N.  Phillips 

La  Forest  Carpenter 

Chas.  N.  Carpenter 

Fred  A.  Carpenter 

SURRY  GRANGE 

No  social  or  fraternal  organization  in  town  in  the  last  fifty  years  has  been 
more  prosperous,  or  done  more  to  promote  industry,  good-will  and  harmony 
among  its  citizens,  than  Surry  Grange. 

The  following  is  a  brief  history  of  that  Order;  including  the  Charter  Mem- 
bers and  first  officers  taken  from  their  records : 

Surry,  N.  H..  Nov.  11,  1890, 

At  a  meeting  called  at  the  Town  Hall  for  the  purpose  of  Organizing 
a  Grange,  a  petition  was  presented  with  fifty-two  Charter  Names  as 
follows : 

1  Dr.  William  H.  Porter  6  Frederick  R.  Grain 

2  Mrs.   William  H.  Porter  7  Mrs.  Melissa  C.  Grain 

3  Miss  Kate  H.  Porter  8  Miss  Bessie  Grain 

4  Frank  E.  Nesmith  9  Frank  P.  Grain 

5  Mrs,  Mary  L.  Nesmith  10  Miss  Jane  H.  Grain 


238 


History  of  Surry 


11  Harrison  N.  Scripture  32 

12  Miss  Ada  B.  Scripture  33 

13  Myron  H.  Porter  34 

14  Mrs.  Ada  I.  Porter  35 

15  Francis  F.  Field  36 

16  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Field  37 

17  Charles   C.   Olmsted  38 

18  Mrs.  Catherine  L.  Olmsted  39 

19  Miss  Adelaide  A.  Olmsted  40 

20  Ephraim  B.  Newton  41 

21  Mrs.  Harriet  P.  Newton  42 

22  Mr.  Lewis  Newton  43 

23  Herbert  R.   Grain  44 

24  Mrs.   Gertrude   J.   Grain  45 

25  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Carpenter  46 

26  Miss  Arabella  E.  Stearns  47 

27  Mrs.  Sarah  W.  Harvey  48 

28  Hollis  W.  Harvey  49 

29  John  A.  Weber  50 

30  Michael  Gorman  51 

31  Mrs.  Alice  H.  Gorman  52 


Charles  H.  Blake 
Cyrus    Kingsbury 
Mrs.  Lydia  J.  Kingsbury 
George  B.  Britton 
Fred  E.  Carpenter 
Otis  W.  Kingsbury 
Mrs.  Sarah  R.  Kingsbury 
Miss  Mabel  E.  May 
Stephen  Slade 
Mrs.  Ellen  M.  Slade 
Miss  Maud  L.  Carpenter 
John  W.  Conley,  Jr. 
Mrs.  Ellen  F.  Conley 
Miss  Lizzie   E.   Britton 
Ezekiel  0.  Whitcomb 
Theodore  G.  Field 
Mrs.  Minnie  E.  Wilber 
Mrs.  Anna  Morrison 
Miss  Anna  E.  Howes 
Charles  W.  Bridge 
Mrs.  Maria  L.  Bridge 


The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  Brother  George  K.  Harvey  of  Cheshire 
(Keene)  Grange,  who  introduced  State  Deputy  E.  C.  Hutchinson  of  Milford, 
N.  H.  After  a  few  remarks  by  the  Deputy  and  a  song  by  the  choir,  then 
proceeded  to  organize  a  Grange.  Brother  George  K.  Harvey  was  appointed 
Treasurer  and  Brother  William  S.  Mansfield  as  Secretary  pro  tem.  The 
Grange  being  organized  in  due  form;  then  proceeded  to  election  of  Officers. 
The  following  Officers  were  declared  elected  by  Ballot: 

SURRY  GRANGE 

Master,  Dr.  William  H.  Porter 

Overseer,  Frank  E.  Nesmith 

Lecturer,  Mrs.  Mary  E,  Field 

Steward,  Harrison  N.  Scripture 

Ass't  Steward,  Myron  H.  Porter 

Chaplain,  George  B.  Britton 

Treasurer,  Cyrus  Kingsbury 

Secretary,  John  A.  Weber 

Gate  Keeper,  Otis  W.  Kingsbury 

Ceres,  Mrs.  Catherine  L.  Olmsted 

Pomona,  Miss  Belle  E.  Stearns 

Flora,  Mrs.  Melissa  C.  Grain 

Lady  Ass't  Steward,  Miss  Ada  B.  Scripture 


SURRY   REFORM   CLUB 

The  Surry  Reform  Club  was  formed  about  1874  in  the  interest  of  the  Tem- 
perance cause,  and  existed  for  about  three  years,  during  which  time  it  was 


Professions  239 

quite  a  successful  and  prosperous  organization;  holding  several  dramatic  en- 
tertainments each  year. 

The  records  of  this  Club  have  not  been  discovered,  but  Mason  A.  Carpenter 
was  the  first  President.     The  following  are  known  to  have  been  members: 

Lewis  F.  Blake  George  K.  Harvey- 
George  M.  Blake  Persis  E.  Harvey 
Mrs.  Lucy  A.  Britton  James  E.  Harvey 
Mary  E.  Britton  Edward  H.  Joslin 
Frank  H.  Britton  Samuel  L.  Newton 
Flora  E.  Britton  Frank  A.  Poole 
Mary  L.  Brown  W.  H.  Porter,  M.  D. 
Mrs.  Lucy  M.  Carpenter  Mrs.  Clementine  R.  Porter 
Mrs.  Mary  E.  Carpenter  Myron  H.  Porter 
Mason  A.  Carpenter  Nellie  H.  Porter 
Flora  A.  Carpenter  Kate  H.  Porter 
Merrill  D.  Carpenter  Hattie  A.  Streeter 
LaForest  J.  Carpenter  Mrs.  M.  Alice  Thompson 
Nettie  M.  Carpenter  Bertha  A.  Wilbur 
George  D.  Holland  Alice  L.  Wilcox 


PROFESSIONS 

The  medical  profession  was  represented  in  town  for  over  one  hundred  years 
— from  about  1784  until  the  death  of  Dr.  William  H.  Porter,  in  1894.  The  two 
outstanding  doctors  were  Dr.  Philip,  Monroe  and  Dr.  Porter  who  spent  most 
of  their  active  lives  in  town. 

Dr.  Philip  Monroe  the  first  of  the  profession  so  far  as  known  to  settle  in 
town,  came  about  1784,  He  lived  first  above  the  village  but  moved  to  No.  23 
before  1790  and  where  he  remained  until  his  death  in  1832.  There  is  a  tradi- 
tion that  he  believed  in  witchcraft. 

Dr.  Abner  Bliss  of  Gilsum  came  into  town  as  early  as  1790  and  after  liv- 
ing here  a  few  years,  removed  to  Alstead.  The  Gilsum  History  states  he  was 
the  first  physician  of  that  town,  and  "had  an  extensive  and  successful  prac- 
tice."   He  died  in  Alstead  in  1812. 

Dr.  Reuben  Phillips  was  living  in  town  prior  to  1790  and  remained  until 
about  1796. 

Dr.  Isaac  Monroe  a  brother  of  Dr.  Philip  Monroe  was  in  town  in  1792,  re- 
moved to  Westmoreland  but  returned  in  1801  and  remained  until  1811-12.  It 
is  interesting  to  note  there  were  four  doctors  in  Surry  in  1792. 

Dr.  Jeremiah  Ingraham  appeared  in  town  as  early  as  1794  at  which  time 
he  and  his  wife  were  "warned  out"  but  remained  for  some  years.  It  is  be- 
lieved his  practice  was  slight  and  of  no  very  great  importance. 

Dr.  Lewis  Johnson  was  in  practice  in  town,  1808  and  '09,  after  which  he 
lived  in  Westmoreland  and  died  there  in  1817.  He  was  the  father  of  Dr. 
Joshua  Jewett  Johnson  of  Keene. 


240  History  of  Surry 

Dr.  Samuel  Thomson,  "founder  of  the  Thomsonian  System  of  medicine"  was 
born  in  edge  of  Alstead  but  lived  and  practiced  his  profession  in  Surry  and 
adjoining  towns  before  and  after  1800.  During  the  first  half  of  the  last  cen- 
tury his  system  had  numerous  followers  among  them  one  or  more  of  his  sons. 

Dr.  Calvin  Haskins  was  in  town,  1804  but  remained  only  a  few  years. 

Dr.  James  H.  Bradford  came  in  1820  and  removed  about  1822. 

Dr.  John  Wakefield  moved  into  town  as  early  as  1822  and  remained  until 
after  1824. 

Dr.  Jonathan  E.  Davis  of  Gilsum  was  in  town  from  1826  until  1828, 

Dr.  William  H.  Porter  a  student  at  the  Worcester  and  Harvard  Medical 
Colleges  settled  in  town,  Apr.  12,  1854,  where  he  had  a  successful  practice 
until  nearly  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  prominent  in  town  affairs  and 
postmaster  for  many  years. 

Old  Dr.  George  W.  Hammond  of  Gilsum;  Dr.  Noah  Fuller  of  Westmoreland 
and  Drs.  Amos  Twitchell,  Gardner  C.  Hill  of  Keene,  and  others  have  prac- 
ticed in  town. 


Poems  241 

*  LEGEND  OF  THE  REVOLUTION 

When  the  colonies  sti'ove  for  national  birth, 

There  were  traitors  in  camp  and  around  the  hearth, 

As  there  always  has  been  in  all  the  earth — 
Bill  Baxter  was  the  man. 

On  the  bend  of  the  winding  Ashuelot,** 

An  Englishman  built  on  the  land  he  bought,     . 
But  his  love  for  King  George  he  never  forgot — 

Bill  Baxter  was  the  man. 

Round  Bald  Hill  rises  just  east  of  the  place ;§ 

South,  the  White  Rock  looks  like  a  shaven  face — 
There  the  Tory  lived,  to  the  town's  disgrace — 

Bill  Baxter  was  the  man. 

The  hillsides  slope  down  almost  to  the  dam. 

The  beautiful  pond  spreads  out  like  a  fan, 
And  here  the  vile  Tory  his  treason  began — 

Bill  Baxter  was  the  man. 

The  smoke  cleared  away  from  Bennington's  ground,  ^ 

And  many  a  Hessian  was  left  to  sleep  sound; 
The  roll  was  then  called,  and  one  was  not  found — 

Bill  Baxter  was  the  man. 

The  victors  came  back  to  Surry's  bright  vale. 

And  told  their  story,  and  shouted  "All  hail"; 
The  Tory  looked  down — turned  suddenly  pale — 

Bill  Baxter  was  the  man. 

They  marched  him  down  to  the  gauntlet  road,t 

Two  beautiful  elms  as  sentinels  stood. 
And  guarded  the  place  as  sentinels  should — 

Bill  Baxter  was  the  man. 

Each  soldier  was  armed  with  a  birchen  stick, 

And  he  laid  it  on  both  heavy  and  quick, 
And  followed  it  up  with  a  terrible  kick — 

Bill  Baxter  was  the  man. 

Good  Captain  Harvey  commanded  so  well, 

That  some  of  the  men  made  double  strokes  tell; 
Says  the  captain  to  Ase,  "You  laid  it  on  well" — 

Bill  Baxter  was  the  man. 

Let  the  Tories  forever  be  treated  just  so. 

When  we  are  attacked  by  a  foreign  foe — 
But  fight  not  each  other  as  savages  do — 

Bill  Baxter  was  the  man. 


*The    author    of    this    poem    has    not    been    discovered;    the    description    is    complete. 
**This   River   is   pronounced;    Ash-welot. 

§The  location  of  his   house  \vas   at   or  near  No.    116 — see  mnp. 

tTradition   says    the    "gauntlet    road"    was    from    the    "Whipping   Post"    to   No.    35,    where 
two   ancient  elms   are  still  standing. 


16 


242  History  of  Surry 

SURRY  MINE,  NUMBER  ONE. 

Have  you  heard  the  news  so  fine? 

This  much  exciting  story! 
They  have  found  a  priceless  mine 

In  little  "One-horse  Suri-y." 

The  Mountain  old,  brimful  of  Gold, 

Stands  silent  in  its  grandeur; 
There'll  be  a  din  when  they  begin 

To  show  its  hidden  splendor. 

Tradition  says,  in  olden  times 

Some  Spaniards  came  to  Surry; 
They  found  a  famous  silver  mine, 

But  left  it  in  a  hurry. 

For  Civil  war  raged  far  and  near, 

Their  brilliant  plans  o'er  throwing, 
They  covered  up  their  treasure  here 

And  left,  but  ne'er  returning. 

If  in  the  spring  the  "boss"  M.  M.* 

Comes  with  his  working  army; 
Perhaps  we'll  see  heathen  Chinee 

And  men  from  every  Country. 

With  greatest  speed  they'll  build  a  bridge 

Across  the  roaring  river; 
A  level  road  will  next  be  made 

Unto  the  great  Bonanza. 

We  will  ride  with  coach  and  span, 

Up  to  the  very  summit. 
And  there  the  face  of  nature  scan, 

Rare  beauties  stamped  upon  it. 

Instead  of  this  small  one  horse  town. 

We'll  have  a  two  horse  City; 
When  this  proves  true  as  I  have  shown, 

I'll  write  another  ditty. 
I  Surry,  November,  1879. 


*"M.    M."    was    for    Mahlon    Millesou.    superintendent    of    The    Granite    State    Gold    and 
Silver  Mining  Co.,  which  was  then  being  formed. 


CHAPTER  XII. 
INDUSTRIES. 

No  complete  Jiistory  of  all  the  industries,  large  and  small,  is  obtainable. 
Merchants,  blacksmiths,  tavern  and  hotel  keepers,  have  predominated  while 
there  have  been  saw,  grist,  cider,  fulling  and  malt  mills;  carriage  and  wheel- 
wright shops;  tannery,  hat  shop,  brick  yard,  charcoal  pits  and  potash  makers. 
There  were  two  cabinet  makers,  several  boot  &  shoe  makers  and  silversmiths; 
a  carding  mill  ran  a  short  time;  for  years  all  the  coffins  used  here  were  made 
in  town.  Between  1845  and  1865  the  braiding  of  hats  for  out-of-town  parties 
occupied  the  idle  moments  of  both  old  and  young,  then  came  the  seating  of 
chairs  for  manufacturers  in  Keene.  During  more  recent  years  several  "por- 
table saw-mills"  have  been  located  in  various  parts  of  the  town  cutting  off 
woodlots. 

Several  parties  have  built  wood  slides  on  the  west  side  of  the  mountain 
and  about  1873  Asa  Fay  built  one,  which  ran  down  the  hill  east  of  No.  135. 

During   each   fall   for   over   50   years   droves   of   cattle   from   Vermont   and 
northern  New  Hampshire  passed  through  town. 

MILLS,  SHOPS,  ETC. 

Aaron  Chapin  and  sons  built  the  saw  and  grist  mill  at  No.  112  about  1771, 
doubtless  the  first  in  town.  After  the  death  of  Aaron,  Capt.  Simon  Baxter 
purchased  the  property,  then  several  parties  held  interests  for  from  two  to 
10  years  each.  Harrison  N.  Scripture  purchased  the  property  in  1865  and 
he  or  his  son  now  own  the  site.  First  they  were  called  "Chapins  mills,"  then 
for  many  years,  "The  Baxter  mills"  and  now  "Scripture's  mill." 

William  Hayward  built  a  saw  mill  at  No.  5  before  1785.  Many  have 
owned  this  property  and  several  mills  have  stood  on  the  same  site.  The  last 
one  was  torn  down  in  1920.  During  the  last  generation  it  has  been  called  the 
"Rogers  Mill." 

Asahel  Harvey  had  a  saw  mill  at  No.  174  as  early  as  1799  which  stood 
until  nearly  1850.  After  his  death  John  Stevens  ran  the  mill  a  year  or  two. 
The  two  latter  mills,  and  the  former  (until  1880)  all  had  the  old  up-and- 
down  log  saw,  from  which  boards  and  timber  were  cut  out  to  erect  buildings 
in  town. 

George  and  C.  Wharton  Wilcox  had  bench  saws  in  their  carriage  shop  at 
No.  120. 

Capt.  Asa  Wilcox  had  bench  saws  in  his  carriage  shop  at  No.  127. 

About  1850  bench  saws  and  several  lathes  were  being  used  in  the  old  bark 
mill  where  bobbins  were  being  turned  out  for  factories. 

The  first  grist  mill,  as  stated,  was  built  by  Aaron  Chapin  at  No.  112  about 
1771.  Mr.  Scripture  ran  a  grist  mill  in  connection  with  his  saw  mill  until 
about  1910. 


244  History  of  Surry 

Asahel  Harvey  had  a  grist  mill  at  No.  175  which  was  in  use  until  about 
1842.    But  little  remains  now  to  even  mark  its  site. 

Henry  A.  WeatherheacI  put  in  a  small  portable  grist  mill  at  No.  5  which  he 
ran  between  1900  and  1908. 

CIDER  MILLS. 

Seventy  or  100  years  ago  cider  mills  were  quite  numerous  in  town.  Thomas 
Austin  had  one  at  No,  2;  Eliphaz  Field  one  at  No.  8;  Henry  T.  Ellis  near 
No.  16;  William  Kingsbury  at  No.  20;  Hollis  Wilcox,  at  No.  92;  Daniel 
Hodgkins  at  No.  133  after  1860;  Benjamin  Hills  at  No.  134;  David  Reed  at 
No.  140;  Ichabod  Crane  at  No.  150;  Jesse  Streeter  at  160;  Ezra  Carpenter  at 
No.  169;  Peter  Joslin,  No.  177;  Royal  Watkiris,  No.  219;  Esq.  Benjamin  Car- 
penter, No.  222,  and  probably  there  were  others  of  which  we  have  no  record. 
Frank  E.  Ellis  built  one  at  No.  6  in  1882  which  is  standing  but  not  in  use. 

Ensign  Asa  Wilcox  built  a  malt  mill  at  No.  127  in  1799,  but  it  was  in  use 
but  a  short  time,  if  at  all. 

Capt.  Asa  Wilcox  made  cider  brandy  at  No.  96  for  a  short  time  early  in 
the  last  century. 

The  "fulling  mill"  built  before  1800  at  No.  120  was  in  use  some  30  years, 
after  which  Capt.  Asa  Wilcox  made  it  into  a  carriage  shop,  q.  v. 

CARDING  MILLS 

Between  1810  and  '20  Capt.  S.  Baxter,  Abijah  Wetherbee,  Jonathan  Harvey, 
and  John  Stevens  all  paid  tax  on  Carding  Machinery. 

John  Hitchcock  had  a  tan-vat  near  No.  118,  in  1781-2,  we  therefore  suppose 
he  also  had  a  tannery.  Samuel  Hills  started  in  the  tanning  and  currying 
business  at  No.  130  about  1800  and  the  business  was  in  operation  for  some 
45  years,  under  various  proprietors. 

Henry  Kellogg,  an  ironsmith,  built  a  shop  at  No.  148,  about  1830,  in  which 
he  carried  on  business  a  few  years.  He  had  a  trip-hammer  operated  by 
water  power. 

Tradition  says  during  the  early  history  of  the  town  a  brick  yard  was  in 
operation  at  No.  3. 

BLACKSMITHS. 

Blacksmith  shops  have  been  quite  numerous.  Joseph  Whitney,  a  blacksmith, 
was  living  near  No.  22  about  1767,  and  is  supposed  to  have  built  a  shop  nearby, 
which  Benjamin  Whitney  was  running  in  1772.  In  1794,  Lieut.  John 
McCurdy  opened  a  shop  at  No.  12.  John  Norris  had  a  shop  near  No.  66 
in  1804,  In  1825  there  was  a  shop  near  the  Great  road  east  of  No.  35,  which 
was  in  use  some  years.  Elijah  Norris  had  a  shop  at  No,  29,  which  stood  until 
about  1842.  About  1849,  Elijah  Holbrook  built  a  shop  at  No.  56,  in  which 
business  was  conducted  by  various  parties  for  nearly  50  years,  Elijah 
Norris  also  had  a  shop  at  No.  74  in  1821.  Samuel  H.  Poole  built  a  shop  at 
No.  84  in  1870,  which  he  ran  a  few  years.     Tradition  says  there  was  a  black- 


Industries  245 

smith  shop  on  the  east  side  of  the  road  above  No.  107  before  1840,  but  nothing 
positive  is  known.  Francis  B.  Benton  had  a  shop  at  109  for  a  few  years  prior 
to  1849.  Another  tradition  states  there  was  a  blacksmith  shop  near  No.  117, 
many  years  ago. 

Joseph  Knight  is  supposed  to  have  built  a  shop  at  No.  123,  about  1825  and 
later  Elijah  Holbrook,  it  is  said,  owned  the  shop.  A  brick  shop  stood  at  No. 
128  from  1810?  until  after  1860,  and  it  was  the  most  important  shop  during 
that  period  in  that  part  of  the  town.  In  1818  there  was  a  shop  on  the  Dr. 
Thomson  place.  No.  135,  but  it  remained  in  use  only  a  few  years. 

David  Bragg,  a  blacksmith,  is  supposed  to  have  lived  at  No.  158  in  1805,  but 
whether  he  had  a  shop,  is  not  known.  Tradition  says  there  was  a  shop  at 
No  42  before  1840  and  Otis  Daggett  had  his  shop  at  No.  43  in  1840,  and 
earlier.  In  more  modern  times,  Fred  B.  Marshall  had  a  shop  at  No.  6,  also 
at  15. 

Ensign  Asa  Wilcox  had  a  carriage  shop  at  No.  127  soon  after  1800  which 
was  in  operation  about  50  years. 

Capt.  Asa  and  Capt.  George  Wilcox  had  a  carriage  and  wheelwright  shop 
in  the  old  "Fulling  mill"  for  many  years,  then  C.  Wharton  Wilcox,  a  son  of 
Capt.  George,  continued  business  until  about  1895. 

Capt.  Eliphalet  Dort  had  a  shop  at  the  toll  gate  place  and  later  on  the 
meadow  north  of  his  house — No.  86.  He  was  considered  a  good  workman, 
possessing  considerable  natural  mechanical  ability. 

Levi  Brooks  had  a  shop  at  No.  95  in  which  he  carried  on  the  wheelwright 
business  from  1835?  until  after  1850. 

John  Thayer  did  cabinet  work  to  some  extent  while  living  at  No.  16,  from 
1810  till  1813.    Jonah  Carter  also  was  a  cabinet  maker. 

About  1880  Eugene  Gates  made  trays  for  M.  A.  Carpenter  in  a  shop  at  No. 
45. 

BOOTS  AND  SHOES. 

The  boot  and  shoe  makers  were  engaged  in  business  from  1800  until  around 
1850.  There  was  a  shop  at  No.  35  about  1820  which  is  still  in  use  on  the 
place.  There  is  some  reason  to  believe  the  building  when  in  use  stood  by  the 
highway  near  the  blacksmith  shop,  previously  mentioned  on  this  farm. 

The  old  records  speak  of  a  shoe-shop  at  or  near  No.  48,  between  1814 
and  '40.  Doubtless  this  is  where  Theodorus  Monroe  and  Asa  Hutchings 
began  business,  May  12,  1814. — K.  S.  Adonijah  Marvin  lived  at  No.  62  and 
had  a  shop  in  1792.  Harry  D.  Randall  carried  on  shoemaking  in  his  house  at 
No.  70  about  1851.  Elkanah  Hixon  was  living  in  the  northwest  part  of  the 
town  in  1825  and  travelled  from  house  to  house  making  up  the  annual  stock 
of  footwear  for  old  and  young.  William  Kingsbury  had  a  shop  at  No.  26  a 
few  years  around  1850. 

HATS. 

Daniel  Ellis,  a  hatter,  had  a  shop  at  or  near  No.  66  between  1816  and  1830. 
He  sold  the  property,  including  a  "hat  shop"  in  1836. 


246  History  of  Surry 

CHARCOAL. 

In  order  to  reap  some  benefit  from  the  wood  and  timber  that  originally 
covered  the  land  the  farmers  converted  large  quantities  into  charcoal  which 
was  drawn  in  large  racks  to  Keene  and  Bellows  Falls,  Vt.,  where  it  found  a 
ready  market  among  the  blacksmiths.  It  not  only  required  some  skill  but 
constant  watching  to  get  a  "good  burn,"  A  pit  was  dug  in  the  ground  in 
which  from  10  to  30  or  more  cords  of  four-foot  wood  was  placed  in  nearly 
a  vertical  position  after  which  the  pile  was  covered  over  with  sods  and  earth 
except  one  or  two  small  vents  where  the  fire  was  started  and  which  served  as 
drafts.  From  one  to  two  weeks  was  required  to  burn  a  pit,  and  in  case  the 
fire  broke  out  it  was  immediately  checked  by  fresh  dirt,  or  ashes.  Several 
had  coalpits  near  the  foot  of  the  Mountain,  and  in  other  parts  of  the  town, 
between  1830  and  1860. 

POTASH. 

Potash  was  made  in  town  100  years  ago  but  to  what  extent  has  not  been 
learned.  The  Robinsons  made  it  on  the  plain  east  of  the  hotel  (No.  55).  It 
was  also  made  at  No.  77,  probably  by  the  Fuller  family. 

TAVERNS  AND   HOTELS. 

The  exact  date  when  the  first  public  house  was  opened  in  town  has  not 
been  ascertained;  however,  there  is  little  doubt  but  it  was  at  Peter  Hay- 
ward's  who  lived  at  No.  1.  Jonathan  Smith  was  called  "an  innholder"  as 
early  as  1773. 

He  was  succeeded  by  his  son,  Capt.  Samuel  Smith,  prior  to  1788.  Lieut. 
John  McCurdy  opened  a  tavern  in  his  house  (No.  12)  at  the  south  part  of 
the  town  not  far  from  1790. 

Between  1800  and  1848  the  taverns  did  a  thriving  business  in  this  town 
but  upon  completing  of  the  Cheshire  railroad  from  Keene  to  Bellows  Falls 
and  beyond,  the  old  stage  coach  was  doomed.  There  was  some  rivalry  in 
those  days  between  landlords  to  procure  business ;  some  held  out  special 
social  qualities,  others  excellent  board,  while  there  were  the  temperance  and 
non-temperance  houses.  It  is  related  that  Thomas  Redding  on  one  occasion, 
in  order  to  compete  with  a  temperance  neighbor,  placed  up  the  following 
sign: 

Why  will  you  pass  by — both  hungry  and  dry, 
Good  brandy  and  gin — please  Sir,  Walk  in; 
Good  oats  and  bedding — Your  humble  servant, 

Thomas  Redding. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  taverns,  hotels  and  stores  in  town  who  were 
licensed  to  "mix  and  sell"  prior  to  1906. 

Jan.  28,  1765,  Peter  Hayward  was  appointed  tavern  keeper  at  No.  1. 
Sept.  2,  1768,  Wolston  Brockway  was  appointed  tavern  keeper  at  No.  34. 
Jan.  13,  1773,  Jonathan  Smith,  Sr. ;  the  Samuel  Ball  place  in  village. 
Oct.  10,  1786,  Capt.  Samuel  Smith  succeeded  his  father  at  above  place. 


Industries  247 

Feb.  27,  1793,  Col.  Jonathan  Smith,  Jr.;  where  M.  D.  Carpenter  now  lives. 

Mar.  4,  1793,  Jonathan  Robinson,  Sr. ;  in  the  village;  destroyed  by  fire,  1907. 

Mar.  4,  1793,  John  McCurdy;  where  Henry  L.  Phillips  and  son  now  live, 
1920. 

Mar.  4,  1793,  Benjamin  Carpenter;  probably  the  present  Stephen  H. 
Clement  place. 

Feb.  4,  1796,  Capt.  Simon  Baxter;  at  the  Shaw  place;  destroyed  by  fire, 
1902. 

May  6,  1796,  James  Kingsbury;  the  Capt.  Francis  Holbrook  tavern;  No.  126. 

Dec.  7,  1796,  Ensign  Asa  Wilcox,  Sr.;  also  at  the  above  Holbrook  place. 

Sept.  3,  1799,  Dr.  Philip  Monroe;  the  Bachelder — Keller  place;  burned  1915. 

Jan.  18,  1800,  Abel  Monroe;  at  the  widow  Brockway's;  the  George  A. 
Hall  place. 

Jan.  25,  1802,  Cushman  Smith;  where  George  B.  Britton  now  lives,  1920. 

Jan.  11,  1804,  Capt.  Calvin  Hayward;  the  Samuel  L.  Newton  place. 

Nov.  23,  1804,  Asa  Wilcox,  Jr.;  doubtless  at  Capt.  Holbrook's;   No.  126. 

May  26,  1808,  David  Reed,  Jr.;  at  widow  Sarah  Dart's. 

Sept.  8,  1808,  John  Norris;  probably  where  Edward  M.  Britton  now  lives. 

Nov.  4,  1808,  Capt.  Charles  Bond;  the  present  Oscar  B.  Deane  place. 

Jan.  19,  1809,  Elijah  Wheelock,  near  the  turnpike;  the  exact  place,  unknown. 

Dec.  14,  1809,  Isaac  Field  at  Moses  D.  Field — Jno.  Robinson  old  homestead. 

Jan.  26,  1810,  John  Chandler;  at  Asa  Wilcox,  Jr.;  Captain  Holbrook; 
No.  126. 

Apr.  24,  1810,  John  Thayer;  probably  at  the  J.  N.  Kellar  summer  home. 

Mar  12,  1811,  Isaac  &  Eliphaz  Field;  the  Willard  Streeter;   Green  place. 

Mar.  21,  1811,  Capt.  Francis  Holbrook;  Asa  Wilcox  tavern;  No.  126. 

June  5,  1811,  Lt.  Levi  Fuller;  the  present  Hollis  W.  Harvey  place. 

Dec.  9,  1811,  Abel  Monroe  at  the  Col.  Bond  house. 

Dec.  18,  1811,  Aaron  Loveland  at  the  Toll  Gate  in  Surry. 

Mar.  10,  1812  Widow  Lucinda  Hayward;  the  old  Peter  Hayward;  Samuel 
L.  Newton. 

May  29,  1813,  Aaron  Loveland  at  the  Ralston  farm. 

Mar.  10,  1814,  Elijah  Fuller  at  his  store,  north  of  H.  W.  Harvey's  house. 

Mar,  12,  1816,  Josiah  Knight.  He  perhaps  kept  store  in  village  for  "Hough 
&  Redding." 

Mar.  12,  1816,  Stephen  Richardson. 

Dec.  23,  1817,  Jonathan  Harvey,  Sr,;  where  George  Malcolm  now  (1920) 
lives. 

Sept,  26,  1818,  Samuel  Allen,  "i 

Sept.  28,  1818,  Obadiah  Redding.       j    These  men  held  licenses  for  a  few  days 

Sept.  28,  1818,  Augustus  Johnson.     -    only;  probably  during  a  "muster"  or 

Dec.  26,  1818,  Jehial  Day.  I     a  "turkey  shoot,"  held  in  town. 

Mar.  6,  1819,  Benjamin  Hills.  j 


248  History  of  Surry 

Mar.  10,  1819,  Samuel  Robinson,  who  succeeded  his  father  in  the  village 
hotel. 

Apr.  17,  1819,  Peter  Hayward,  at  the  old  Peter  Hayward;  Samuel  L. 
Newton. 

Sept.  29,  1820,  Judge  Elijah  Knight;  Charles  W.  Reed;  now  John  W. 
Lynch  place. 

Nov.  13,  1820,  Theodore  Monroe;  for  a  few  days  only. 

Apr.  12,  1821,  Nathan  Hayward;  at  Eliphaz  Field's  house  for  4  days. 

Mar.  13,  1821,  Dan  Hough  &  James  Redding,  at  their  village  store  for 
one  year. 

1822,  John  May;  the  present  Congregational  parsonage  in  the  village. 

1823,  Col.  Seth  Hall;  probably  in  southwest  part. 

Mar.  8,  1825,  Jeremiah  Robbins;  the  Harvey — George  Malcolm  place. 
Mar.  8,  1825,  Jonas  Pollard;  where  Alonzo  F.  Wilbur  now  lives. 
Feb.    9,    1826,    Capt.    Thomas    Humphrey,   where    Frank    E.    Nesmith    now 
lives. 

May  26,  1827,  Joseph  Shelley;  the  Jonas  Pollard;  Alonzo  F.  Wilbur  place. 
Apr.  3,  1828,  David  Cushing;  the  Jonas  Pollard;   Alonzo  F.  Wilbur  place. 

Mar.  10,  1829,  Samuel  G.  Bowker;  the  Jonas  Pollard;  Alonzo  F.  Wilbur 
place. 

1830,  Isaiah  Robbins;  probably  at  his  father's  old  stand;  Malcolm's. 

1836,  Capt.  Thomas  Humphrey's  widow,  Sally,  continued  the  business. 

1836,  Calvin  Graves  appears  to  have  kept  tavern  at  A.  F.  Wilbur's  place. 

1841,  John  Johnson;  the  Frank  E.  Nesmith  place,  supposedly. 

1841,  Gilbert  Grain;  at  the  Alonzo  F.  Wilbur  place. 

1845,  Elijah  Holbrook;  the  Robinson  hotel  in  village. 

1845,  J.  &  R.  Shelley  at  their  store  in  village;  the  Stevens  store. 

1846,  Almond  Stevens,  succeeded  the  Shelleys  in  the  village  store. 

1847,  Stevens  &  Britton;  at  the  village  store. 

Licenses  were  granted  until  about  1848,  afterward  nothing  appears  on 
the  town  records,  although,  taverns  or  hotels  continued  in  town  for  half 
a  century  thereafter. 

In  1841  there  were  four  hotels  in  town,  one  in  the  village;  one  at  F.  E. 
Nesmith's  place;  one  kept  by  Holbrook  in  the  north  part  of  the  town  and 
one" where  Alonzo  F.  Wilbur  and  Son  live.  In  1850  two  only  kept  open  house; 
one  in  the  village  and  one  at  Holbrook's  stand.  The  latter  was  kept  by 
George  W.  Holbrook  until  about  1860,  when  it  ceased  to  be  a  public  house. 

The  village  hotel  continued  under  various  proprietors  until  nearly  the 
time  it  was  destroyed  by  fire,  in  1907.  Among  those  who  were  proprietors 
after  Elijah  Holbrook  removed  to  Keene  and  became  proprietor  of  the  Che- 
shire House,  are  the  following:  Warren  Carpenter,  from  about  1852,  until 
1880?;   James   D.   Cheever;   George   D,   Ordway;    Capt.   Thomas   L.   Harmon; 


Industries  249 

Ephraim  B.  Newton;  Winfield  E.  Wilbur  and  Charles  F,  Britton — who  ran 
the  stage  between  Marlow  and  Keene  for  several  years — owned  the  property 
when  the  hotel,  sheds  and  barns  were  all  destroyed  by  fire. 

Hans  Raabe  moved  into  town  in  1909  and  soon  after  opened  "The  Triple 
Elm"  house  in  the  village,  which  ran  about  five  years. — No.  54. 

MERCHANTS. 

So  far  as  discovered  the  first  merchant  in  town  was  Lieut  John  McCurdy 
the  inn-keeper,  at  No.  12.  His  adv.  May  3,  1790*,  "For  sale  at  his  store  in 
Surry,  A  few  English  and  West  India  goods,  suitable  for  the  season,  consist- 
ing of  Broad  cloth,  chintses,  calicoes,  shawles,  silk  hankerchiefs,  Irish  linen, 
camblets,  sewing  silk,  cordurays,  lastings,  leather  stamped  waistcoat  pat- 
terns. Also  West  India  and  New  England  rum,  by  the  barrel  or  smaller 
quantities;  good  Malaga  wine  by  the  kegg  or  gallon.  Bohea  tea,  raisins,  loaf 
and  brown  sugar,  choculate,  pepper,  nutmeg,  etc.  Bar  iron,  English  and  Ger- 
man steel,  scythes,  powder,  shot,  felt  hats.  In  exchange  he  will  take,  Rye, 
Oats,  Indian  corn,  flax,  pot  and  pearl  ash,  etc."  In  Mar  1794  he  built  and 
— equipped  a  blacksmith  shop  on  his  premises, — His  adv. 

Jonathan  Robinson  opened  a  store  at  his  tavern  (No.  55)  about  1799.  In 
1803,  Cushman  Smith  opened  a  store  in  a  small  building  which  he  built  on  the 
east  side  of  his  dwelling  at  the  present  post-office.  No.  43.  Josiah  Knight  kept 
a  store  at  No.  47  as  early  as  1816-17,  and  for  about  50  years  afterwards 
business  was  conducted  in  that  building.  S.  Harrison  Porter  opened  a  store 
at  No.  64  which  ran  a  few  years.  Elijah  Fuller  and  William  Baxter  opened 
a  store  at  No.  78  about  1814.  In  1810  there  was  a  store  at  No.  126.  It  stood 
a  few  feet  north  of  the  tavern,  later  owned  by  Capt.  Francis  Holbrook,  and 
probably  existed  only  a  few  years.  John  Cole  had  a  store  in  his  house  at 
No.  214,  in  1805.  It  was  on  the  Boston,  Keene,  Walpole,  Rutland  turnpike 
road,  and  it  is  said  he  did  a  good  business. 

After  the  old  meeting  house  was  made  into  a  Town  Hall  the  old  store  at 
No.  47  was  closed  up  and  a  new  one  was  opened  on  the  first  floor  in  the 
Town  Hall  which  was  in  operation  most  of  the  time  from  1872  until  1918. 
The  following  have  been  in  business  at  this  place:  George  W.  Britton  and 
Edwin  A.  Kenyon  moved  here  from  No.  47  in  1872  (flrm  of  "Britton  & 
Kenyon") ;  Frank  Curtis  as  agent  for  Mr.  Robb  (of  Stoddard?);  Wesley  F. 
Wilbur;  "Grain  &  Carpenter" — Frederick  R,  and  Frank  P.  Grain  and  Frank 
D.  W.  Carpenter—;  Frank  P.  Grain,  1888;  Ernest  W.  Carpenter,  1890-91; 
Merrill  D.  Carpenter,  1895;  George  N.  Conley;  Herbert  R.  Grain;  William 
L.  Olds;  Cyrus  Kingsbury,  1901;  Lewis  C.  Buntlin;  Charles  E.  George  and 
Arthur  E.  Salley,  1913  until  the  spring  of  1918,  he  being  the  last  to  carry  on 
business  here.  For  many  years  the  town  rented  the  Town  Hall  store  for 
§1.00  per  annum.  Samuel  E.  Howard  opened  a  store  at  No.  54  in  1920,  and 
was  succeeded  by  Thomas  J.  Kelly. 

SILVERSMITH 

Samuel  Sawyer  came  to  No.  102  in  1794  and  soon  after  opened  a  shop  at  No. 
107  where  he  wafe  engaged  till  his  death  in  the  plating  business.     He  was 


''Taken   from  THE  NEW  HAMPSHIRE  RECORDER  of   Keene,   N.   H.  May  3,    1790. 


250  History  of  Surry 

succeeded  in  business  by  John  T.  Wilcox  and  John  Blish,  as  "Wilcox  &  Blish," 
who  dissolved  partnership,  Dec.  6,  1814,  at  which  time  Mr.  Wilcox  gave  notice 
he  would  continue  the  business  in  "Plated  ware,  Brass  and  Tin  harness  trim- 
mings," etc. 

CHAIR  MAKING 

Alanson  Bingham  came  to  town  May  1866  and  remained  a  year  or  two, 
being  engaged  in  making  chairs.  He  employed  a  few  men  and  his  shop  was 
in  the  town  hall. 

BRAIDING  HATS. 

This  was  a  business  which  many  women,  girls  and  boys  were  engaged  in 
from  about  1850  until  after  1860  and  while  the  remuneration  was  small,  yet 
it  served  as  "pin-money"  and  many  a  lass  was  able  to  obtain  a  new  "calico 
gown"  and  buy  a  new  blue  "frock."  The  palm-leaf  was  brought  into  town  and 
sold  at  the  houses,  then  the  finished  hats  were  inspected,  collected,  paid  for 
and  a  new  lot  of  stock  supplied.  After  a  year's  experience  a  "good  spry  girl" 
could  finish  10  or  12  hats  in  a  day  for  which  she  received  "six  cents  each." 
Men  from  both  Westmoreland  and  Winchester  did  business  in  Surry. 

CHAIR  SEATING 

This  business  was  carried  on  along  the  same  lines  as  the  hat  braiding,  but 
at  a  later  period,  and  for  men  engaged  in  the  chair  business  in  Keene.  This 
was  at  its  height  between  1870  and  1885,  and  to  some  extent  is  still  con- 
tinued in  town. 

PORTRAITS. 

Mr.  A.  P.  Hendricks  with  his  traveling  saloon  came  into  town  about  1856 
and  placed  his  car  by  the  roadside  below  No.  44.  Here  he  remained  a  few 
weeks  and  took  daguerreotypes  of  many  of  the  citizens  of  that  day.  The  next 
to  appear  was  the  camera  about  1890,  then  came  the  kodak.  Francis  F.  Field 
has  a  small  collection  of  views  taken  before  1900  and  about  that  time  James 
E.  Harvey,  then  a  photographer  at  Concord,  N.  H.,  took  views  of  nearly  all 
the  dwelling  houses  in  Surry  valley. 

DROVES. 

Some  mention  of  the  droves  which  formerly  passed  through  town  should 
be  given  for  the  benefit  of  the  next  generation.  Prior  to  1840,  cattle,  sheep, 
hogs  and  turkeys  were  driven  through  here  on  their  way  to  Boston,  and 
occasionally  a  string  of  horses,  but  all  except  cattle  and  horses  ceased  before 
1850.  Several  drovers  were  engaged  in  the  cattle  business  between  1865  and 
1895  when  the  custom  practically  ran  out. 

George  Pierce  (said  to  have  been  a  nephew  of  Pres.  F.  Pierce)  of  Royals- 
ton,  Mass.,  and  Edward  Eldridge  (or  Aldrich)  of  Warren,  Vt.,  as,  "Pierce 
&  Eldridge,"  were  in  the  business  25  or  30  years,  but  at  that  period  the  drove 
went  only  as  far  as  Mr.  Pierce's  home  town.  During  September  and  October 
of  each  year  they  bought  from  400  to  700  head  of  cattle  in  Duxbury,  More- 


Industries  251 

town,  Fayston,  Warren,  Northfield  and  Waitsfield,  Vt.  Natt  Joslin's  farm  in 
the  village  of  the  latter  town  was  the  rendezvous.  The  drove  started,  via: 
Warren,  Granville,  Hancock,  Rochester,  Stockbridge,  Barnard,  Woodstock, 
West  Windsor  and  Weathersfield  in  Vermont,  then,  crossing  over  the  Cheshire 
bridge  into  Charlestown,  N.  H.,  they  passed  through  Langdon,  Drewsville, 
Surry,  Keene,  Swanzey  and  Richmond. 

The  trip  required  about  two  weeks,  and  they  were  selling  cattle  on  the  road 
after  the  first  few  days.  Arriving  at  Charlestown  and  towns  below  they 
stopped  over  one  or  two  days  in  each  place  where  they  did  a  brisk  business. 

The  following  list  of  stopping  places  has  been  obtained:  At  Dea.  Christy's 
in  So.  Woodstock;  Mr.  Douglass  at  W.  Windsor;  Bidwell's  tavern  in  Lang- 
don; Jonathan  R.  Field's  (at  No.  16)  in  Surry,  and  William  C.  Belding's  in 
Swanzey  Center.  Mr.  Pierce  is  said  to  have  been  a  wizard  at  cattle  flesh. 
He  could  tell  without  hesitation,  the  price  paid,  age,  and  of  whom  he  bought 
each  creature. 

MINING  OPERATIONS 

During  the  whole  history  of  this  town  it  has  been  thought — by  some — ^that 
there  was  valuable  ore  of  some  kind  in  Surry,  and  from  time  to  time  en- 
deavors have  been  made  to  bring  it  forth.  It  is  a  well  established  tradition 
that  a  few  Spaniards  were  excavating  on  "Mine  hill"  at  the  outbreak  of  the 
Revolutionary  war,  and  that  they  left  these  parts  in  a  hurry,  expecting  to 
return  as  soon  as  peace  was  declared.  And  even  before  the  settlement  by  the 
white  men,  the  Indians  obtained  lead  for  bullets  on  Surry  Mountain. 

THE  RUSSELL  MINE. 

1785,  William  Russell  and  others  purchased  several  tracts  of  land  in  that 
part  of  Surry,  formerly  Westmoreland,  and  soon  after  began  operations  near 
No.  213 — map.    There  were  72  equal  rights,  or  shares  owned  by  the  following: 


William  Russell 

12 

John  Briant 

William  Russell,  Jr. 

11 

Nathan  Hall 

Thomas  Harvey 

4 

Joseph  Wilder 

Samuel  Stickney 

5 

Moses  Stickney,  Jr. 

Josiah  Goldsmith 

3 

Levi   Haskell 

Thomas   Field 

3 

Josiah  Willard 

Joseph  Blake 

3 

Benjamin  Bullard 

Jedediah  Sanger 

6 

Flint  Davis 

Benjamin  Carpenter,  Jr. 

1 

Nathaniel  Hardy 

Samuel  Ober 

2 

Joseph  Heald 

3 

Asahel  Blake 

2 

(Unknown) 

6 

Peter  Hay  ward 

1 

William  Hayward 

1 

Total 

72 

Feb.  1,  1786,  Jedediah  Sanger,  Joseph  Blake,  William  Russell,  committee  in 
behalf  of  said  mine  petitioned  to  the  legislature  to  carry  on  business  and 
state,  "That  they  have  discovered  a  place  in  Surry  where  they  are  persuaded 
is  a  valuable  silver  mine,"  they  further  set  forth  that  they  wish  to  experiment 
on  the  ores,  but  have  not  the  means  and  desire  the  legislature  authorize  them 
to  raise  the  money  by  public  lottery,  to  the  amount  of  two  thousand  dollars. 


252  History  of  Surry 

for  that  purpose.  The  company  probably  built  a  dwelling  and  other  buildings 
at  No.  213,  and  for  a  few  years  worked  their  "valuable  silver  mine,"  now 
marked  by  an  excavation  of  a  few  feet  in  the  solid  ledge. 

THE  SCOVELL  MINE. 

Amos  S.  Scovell,  q.  v.,  opened  up  a  small  mine  on  the  west  side  of  the 
mountain  in  1851  where  he  labored  for  several  months.  It  is  understood  he 
was  in  search  of  silver;  his  mine  was  east  of  the  village  on  land  then  owned 
by  William  Carpenter  and  possibly  one-quarter  way  from  base. 

THE   LITTLEFIELD  MINE 

Rufus  Littlefield  of  Charlestown,  Mass.,  in  company  with  George  D.  Rice, 
did  a  little  at  mining  in  1865.  They  worked  on  land  owned  by  Warren  Car- 
penter, about  opposite  the  village. 

THE    GRANITE    STATE   GOLD   AND    SILVER    MINING   COMPANY 

Surry,  Cheshire  County,  N.  H. 

Organized  in  1879 

The  oflficers  were : 
Directors  William  C.  Tallman,  Boston,  Mass.,  President. 

H.  L.  White,  Boston,  Mass.,  Treasurer. 
Charles  H.  Drew,  Boston,  Mass.,  Attorney 
Randall  G.  Morse,  Boston,  Mass. 
John  P.  Hilton,  Boston,  Mass. 
William  E.  Cai-leton,  Boston,  Mass. 
George  A.  Bruce,"  Somerville,  Mass. 
George  K.  Harvey,  Surry,  N.  H. 
M.  Milleson,  State  of  Nevada,  Supt.  and  Mining  Eng. 
James  Anderson,  Secretary. 
A.  I.  Benyon,  Pacific  National  Bank,  Banker. 

The  company  was  taxed  in  Surry  as  follows: 


1881 

for  40  acres; 

valuation 

$200.00 

Tax 

$  .75 

1882 

<(     ((         <( 

it 

800.00 

(( 

2.25 

1883 

U          <<                    (< 

n 

400.00 

(( 

1.25 

1884 

(<       <<             << 

(< 

400.00 

(( 

(non-resident) 

Nothing  further  appears  on  the  town  records  until  Feb.  12,  1887,  when  the 
"M.  Millison  Mining  Rights"  were  sold  at  public  auction  at  the  store  of 
"Grain  &  Carpenter"  in  the  village  for  the  taxes  assessed  for  the  year,  1886. 
We  understand  those  who  invested  in  this  company  received  nothing  in 
return. 

Except,  possibly  the  Russell  mine.  This  was  by  far  the  most  extensive 
mining  operation  in  this  town.  Organized,  1879,  Mahlon  Milleson  was  the 
prime  mover,  and  became  superintendent  of  the  company. 

Evidently  from  a  communication  to  Keene  Sentinel,  May  31,  1880,  he  had 
implicit  confidence  in  the  undertaking,  "based  upon  sixteen  years'  experience 


Industries  253 

on  the  Pacific  coast  ...  I  have  demonstrated  to  my  entire  satisfaction 
that  the  Harvey  tract  is  a  vast  mineral-bearing  territory,  and  that  a  system 
of  deep  mining,  run,  if  possible,  from  the  river  level,  will  open  up  as  valuable 
a  piece  of  property  as  any  in  the  United  States." 

Operations  began  early  in  1880  not  far  from  the  top  of  the  mountain  on 
land  of  George  K.  Harvey.  Here  they  sunk  a  shaft  in  the  solid  rock  about 
75  feet,  and  built  a  boarding  house,  18ft.  x  40it.,  two  stories  high,  but  during 
that  summer  they  began  operation  on  the  Giisum  side  of  the  mountain,  on 
land  purchased  of  Daniel  W.  Bill.  At  this  "point  they  sunk  a  shaft  about  125 
feet,  erected  an  engine  house,  blacksmith  shop,  boarding  house,  a  crusher 
building,  etc.  Ten  or  12  men  were  engaged  here  for  two  or  three  years; 
most  of  the  buildings  went  to  decay  while  there  still  remain  two  well-holes 
open  to  entrap  some  innocent  man  or  beast. 

THE  DAWSON  MINE. 

Around  1863-65  a  Mr.  Dawson  did  some  mining  on  land  of  Warren  and 
William  Carpenter's  where  he  took  out  copper  ore.  He  gave  employment  to 
a  few  men  for  several  months.     His  mine  was  half  way  up  west  side. 

THE  ALLEN  MINE. 

Since  1915  Leon  Allen  has  been  working  near  the  foot  of  the  mountain  on 
land  he  purchased  south  of  Lily  pond  brook.    He  has  taken  out  mica,  etc. 

SURRY— KEENE   CANAL  PRO.JECT. 

In  order  to  ascertain  the  feasibility  of  conveying  the  waters  of  the  Ashuelot 
river  in  a  canal  from  the  upper  part  of  Surry  to  Keene  village,  Thomas  M. 
Edwards,  James  Wilson,  Jr.,  Abijah  Wilder,  Jr.,  and  Josiah  Colony,  four 
energetic  and  influential  citizens  of  Keene,  employed  Arthur  W.  Hoyt,  a 
civil  engineer  of  Deerfield,  Mass.,  to  make  an  accurate  survey  of  the  route; 
examine  the  soil  through  which  the  canal  would  pass;  brooks  and  highways 
to  be  crossed,  etc. 

*His  report  of  March  1,  1833,  accompanied  by  a  map  of  the  entire  route, 
indicated  power  was  available,  but  for  some  reason  the  project  was  not 
carried  forward.     An  extract  of  that  report  follows : 

The  survey  for  the  proposed  canal  was  made  in  October  1832,  and 
was  seven  miles  and  31  chains  long;  33  feet  wide  at  the  top  and  21 
feet  four  inches  at  the  bottom;  14  inches  drop  per  mile  was  allowed  in 
the  whole  length  of  the  canal;  two  reservoirs  were  to  be  built  north  of 
Central  square  in  Keene,  and  an  opportunity  for  four  mill  privileges 
were  available,  and  at  an  estimated  cost  of  $23,180.46  not  including  the 
land  damages. 

Two  starting  points  on  the  east  side  of  the  river  were  under  con- 
sideration. The  first  was  at  "a  large  primitive  rock  projecting  from 
the  base  of  Surry  mountain  into  the  bed  of  the  river,  about  30  rods 


*The  venerable  Elisha   F.    Lane   of   Keene   who   married   Harriette  P.   Wilder,    daughter   of 
Abijah  Wilder,   Jr.,   now   has   in   his   possession   Mr.   Hoyt's   report   and   map. 


254  History  of  Surry 

above  George  Blake's  house"  (probably  the  old  Tileston  place)  where 
there  was  an  angle  in  the  river.  The  second  and  better  starting  point 
was  above  the  first  mentioned,  and  within  about  130  rods  of  "Baxter's 
mills"  (now  the  Scripture  mill),  where  a  low  dam  could  be  constructed 
across  the  river,  here  the  water  entered  the  canal  then  flowing  south- 
ward; passing  east  of  Samuel  L.  Newton's  house;  taking  the  water  from 
Sturtevant  brook  as  a  feeder;  crossing  the  highway  10  or  12  rods  north 
of  the  Albert  E.  Pond  buildings;  crossing  Goose  Pond  brook  between 
Enos  Holbrook's  grist  and  oil  mills  (now  where  Charles  S.  Payne 
lives) ;  passing  easterly  of  the  North  Cemetery,  Joseph  Chase  and 
Clarence  N.  Holman  buildings,  the  water  entered  the  Upper  Reservoir, 
through  which  the  Fisher  (or  Kate  Tyler)  brook  now  flows.  The  water 
here  was  83  feet  above  Faulkner  &  Colony's  mill  pond  on  West  street. 
With  a  fall  of  31  feet  available  for  power,  the  water  entered  the  Lower 
reservoir,  or  "Mill  Pond"  as  it  was  called,  which  covered  land  south  of 
the  present  Fuller  School  house,  and  was  then  conveyed  through  a  canal 
to  near  the  school  house  on  School  street  where  a  fall  of  35  feet  more 
was  available  for  manufacturing  purposes. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

CASUALTIES,   FIRES,   CRIME,   ETC. 

Aug.  24,  1804  the  town  voted  to  allow  Mr.  Dean's  account  of  $25.00  for 
damage  in  his  breaking  through  a  bridge  in  town. 

Oct.  29,  1828,  Fred  W.  Scovell  and  his  sisters  went  from  their  home  (No. 
163)  to  No.  165  in  the  ox-cart.  In  descending  the  hill  the  cattle  began  running 
and  when  they  turned  into  the  yard  at  the  Isham  place  the  near  cart-wheel 
passed  over  the  wall  at  "death  rock"  which  turned  the  body  over,  pitching  the 
girls  out.  Sarah  escaped  unhurt,  but  Mary's  head  was  crushed,  causing  in- 
stant death. 

Mar.  2,  1831,  the  town  paid  Jonathan  Twining  $4.50  for  his  horse  falling 
through  a  bridge. 

About  1846,  William  Cross  was  at  work  as  a  farm  hand  for  George  Joslin; 
as  he  was  about  to  unhitch  a  pair  of  oxen  from  a  harrow  the  cattle  ran  and 
Mr.  Cross  was  dragged  and  received  a  serious  scalp  wound.  A  speedy  ride 
to  Keene  brought  old  Dr.  Amos  Twitchell  to  the  spot,  who  removed  a  portion 
of  the  scalp,  after  which  the  patient  recovered  and  subsequently  went  to  Bos- 
ton and  for  some  years  was  engaged  in  a  drug  store.  From  this  accident  he 
finally  became  a  subject  to  epilepsy  from  which  he  died  before  middle-life. 

William  H.  Willard,  a  young  man,  while  chopping  wood  for  Jonathan  R. 
Field,  received  an  injury  from  which  he  died,  about  Dec.  15,  1835. 

Stephen  Foster,  3rd,  of  Gilsum,  was  instantly  killed  on  the  night  of  Nov. 
5,  1844,  while  on  the  road  from  Surry  to  his  home.  It  was  a  dark  i*ainy 
night,  his  carriage  was  upset  and  he  was  pitched  out,  but  whether  in  Surry, 
is  unknown. 

Mar.  9,  1874,  Jerry  Rogers,  a  Frenchman,  while  chopping  wood,  was 
crushed  under  a  tree  and  instantly  killed.  A  tree  which  he  previously  had 
cut  was  lodged  and  while  cutting  another  tree  the  strong  wind  dislodged  the 
first  unexpectedly.     He  was  an  agi'eeable  and  respected  young  man. 

Sunday,  July  1,  1877,  the  "Great  Gale"  or  whirlwind  started  in  west  of 
the  south  mill-pond  and  swept  easterly  over  Surry  mountain,  across  Gilsum, 
Sullivan  and  into  Nelson,  doing  considerable  damage  in  all  but  this  town.  See 
History  of  Sullivan,  p.  381. 

Oct.  10,  1850,  an  unknown  man  was  drowned  in  Baxter's  mill-pond.  He 
was  seen  the  previous  night  wandering  about  and  appeared  deranged  or 
intoxicated. 

June  13,  1854,  Dean  Tyler  died  fi'om  the  effects  of  a  fall  a  few  days  pre- 
vious while  getting  over  a  fence  on  the  meadow  east  of  Geo.  A.  Hall's. 

May  24,  1855,  Willard  Mansfield  committed  suicide  by  hanging  himself  in 
his  barn  at  No.  83. 

Aug.  5,  1857,  Benjamin  F.  Horton  was  drowned  in  a  spring  near  his  house 
at  No.  171;  "partially  deranged." 


256  History  of  Surry 

Dec.  5,  1904,  William  H.  Wright  was  killed  while  falling  a  tree. 

June  16,  1888,  while  Lewis  F.  Blake,  Frank  P.  Grain,  Frank  E.  Nesmith  and 
others  were  shingling  the  Church  the  staging  gave  away  and  all  fell  to  the 
ground,  each  receiving  injuries. 

Feb.  19,  1814,  Joseph  Maynard  died  from  a  blow  from  a  falling  tree;  aged 
31. 

Apr.  8,  1825,  Charles  H.  Reed  a  son  of  Mrs.  Asa  Wilcox,  Jr.  died  from  swal- 
lowing a  bean;  aged  three  years. 

July  11,  1830,  Little  Eliza  Hatch,  a  daughter  of  James  Hatch  was  drowned 
in  the  mill  pond  near  her  father's  house — No.  124.     Aged  five  years. 

July  17,  1862,  a  child  of  Mr.  Shompany  died  in  edge  of  Alstead  (above  No. 
137)  from  accidental  poisoning;  aged  two  years.    Buried  in  Surry. 

Oct.  18,  1872,  Chandler  Wilbur  was  buried  in  Surry.  He  committed  suicide 
while  living  at  No.  181  in  edge  of  Walpole. 

Mar.  7,  1849,  a  son  of  William  L.  Kingsbury  met  death  by  placing  his 
mouth  on  the  nose  of  a  tea-kettle  and  was  scalded;  aged  about  two  years. 
This  occurred  while  he  was  living  at  No.  187  in  edge  of  Walpole. 

The  Stage-Coach  Accident 

Monday,  Oct.  16,  1848,  while  one  of  the  Charlestown-Keene  stages  were  de- 
scending the  "Alstead  hills"  from  Drewsville  to  Surry  the  coach  was  upset  by 
the  pole  breaking.  The  six  horses  ran  clearing  themselves  from  the  wreck  but 
a  stone  wall  saved  the  coach  from  rolling  down  the  steep  hill,  which  probably 
would  have  killed  some  of  those  aboard.  Of  the  19  passengers,  one  lady  was 
quite  badly  injured  being  cut  on  her  face  and  head  by  glass.  This  occurred 
half  or  3/4  of  a  mile  north  of  No.  137.  The  late  C.  Wharton  Wilcox  in  relat- 
ing the  incident  stated  "it  was  an  elegant  coach  all  painted  in  gold  and 
paneled  with  glass." 

Another  man  in  descending  the  same  hills  about  that  time  met  with  an  acci- 
dent when  his  harness  broke  pitching  his  load  of  tub  butter  over  the  bank, 
some  of  which  rolled  down  into  the  gulch. 

One  day  about  1838  as  Edmund  Woodward  was  driving  a  colt  to  the  village 
he  stopped  at  No.  30.  Mr.  Cooper  came  out  placing  his  hand  on  the  horse 
which  took  fright,  and  jumped  over  the  bank  east  of  the  road.  The  team  and 
driver  all  rolled  over  to  the  foot  of  the  hill,  when  the  colt  ran  up  to  Otis  Dag- 
getts  blacksmith  shop  in  the  village.  Mr.  W.  received  slight  bruises,  but  the 
wagon  was  a  wreck. 

During  the  great  freshet  of  Oct.  1869  Thomson's  brook  overflowed  its  banks 
above  Shaw's  Corner  and  ran  down  the  highway  for  about  800  feet,  and 
ruined  the  road,  after  which  it  was  built  farther  to  the  east. 

Mar.  7,  1831  a  child  of  Leonard  A.  Bowker  died  by  falling  into  a  kettle  of 
hot  water;  aged  about  three  years. 

Millie,  a  daughter  of  Henry  T.  Ellis  nearly  lost  her  life  in  the  South  mill 
pond  when  about  two  years  of  age. 


Casualties,  Fires,  Crimes,  Etc.  257 

"Eighteen  Frozen  to  Death" 

The  year  of  1816  is  considered  in  history  as  the  coldest  summer  experienced 
in  New  England,  and  is  frequently  mentioned  as  above  noted.  There  was  a 
frost  every  month  in  tlie  year  and  but  few  crops  were  raised. 

High  Wind 

Aug.  9,  1813.  About  noon  a  thunder  cloud  and  hailstorm  passed  over  parts 
of  Walpole,  Surry,  Gilsum,  Sullivan  and  other  places,  doing  much  damage. 
The  hailstones  were  of  various  sizes,  from  that  of  a  bullet  to  that  of  a  hen's 
egg;  a  large  part  of  them  were  of  the  latter  size  and  rebounded  four  or  five 
feet  from  the  ground.  In  Surry  there  was  but  little  rain,  but  the  ground  was 
literally  covered  with  hailstones.  Great  damage  was  done  to  many  houses  and 
but  few  panes  of  glass  left  entire  on  the  exposed  sides.  Eighty  panes  were 
broken  in  one  house  in  town  and  about  90  in  the  meeting  house  (now,  our 
Town  Hall).     The  crops  in  some  places  were  nearly  all  destroyed. 

The  Tornado 

Between  three  and  four  o'clock  Sunday  afternoon,  Aug.  4,  1822  occurred  the 
most  powerful  and  destructive  wind  storm  ever  known  in  town.  "Two  threat- 
ening clouds,  from  different  points  of  the  compass,  appeared  to  meet  over  the 
highland  in  the  east  part  of  Walpole.  Soon  after,  a  tornado  commenced,  the 
cloud  taking  a  north-easterly  course,  through  the  north  part  of  Surry,  simi- 
lar, though  not  so  extensive  nor  so  destructive  in  its  effects,  as  that  which 
occurred  at  Warwick,  Mass.,  last  season.  Some  orchards  and  barns  were  in- 
jured near  the  old  turnpike  gate,  where  its  ravages  commenced.  Mr.  George 
Cochran  on  the  hill  (in  Walpole)  had  two  barns  completely  demolished  and 
his  house  sjomewhat  injured.  Next,  a  barn  on  the  estate  of  the  late  John  Mar- 
vin (in  Surry),  was  also  demolished.  Its  effects  were  next  felt  at  Mr.  Francis 
Holbrook's,  inn-keeper,  in  Surry  who  had  two  barns  thrown  down,  and  a  large 
shed,  under  which  at  the  time  wei'e  some  loaded  teams.  At  the  tan-yard  of 
Samuel  Hills,  Esq.,  two  sheds  were  demolished  and  the  roof  entirely  taken  off 
from  a  large  granary.  Some  other  buildings,  including  the  old  dwelling-house, 
were  injured  by  sticks  of  timber  and  limbs  of  trees,  which  were  carried  in  the 
air.  The  roof  of  a  40  foot  building  adjoining  Mr.  Hills  house  (?),  some  80 
rods  north  east  was  blown  off.  Mr.  Hills  had  160  panes  of  glass  broken  by 
the  flying  boards,  shingles,  &c.  Farther  east,  a  barn  was  blown  down  on  the 
farm  occupied  by  Mr.  David  Reed;  the  dwelling-house  was  also  injured,  and 
the  orchard  half  destroyed.  In  its  course,  for  nearly  half  a  mile  in  width,  the 
orchards  and  forest  trees  show  its  destructive  effects.  Mr.  Holbrook  had  an 
ox  killed,  but  no  person  was  injured,  so  far  as  our  information  extends." — 
From  Keene  Sentinel,  Aug.  10,  1822.     The  following  appeared,  Aug.  31st: 

"The  late  tornado,  or  whirlwind,  commenced  as  we  before  stated,  in  the 
hollow,  near  the  old  turnpike  gate  in  Walpole.  The  clouds,  a  few  minutes 
before,  presented  a  singular  appearance,  which  gave  warning  of  something 
uncommon  to  be  apprehended.  They  suddenly  shot  by  each  other,  in  various 
directions,  and  sometimes  almost  perpendicularly  upwards.     In  a  few  moments 


NOTE — The    torna«lo    at    Warwick,    Northfield    and    Orange,    Mass.,    occurred    Sept.    9,    1821. 


17 


258  History  of  Surry 

the  effects  were  seen  in  a  pasture  belonging  to  Mr.  Adams  Whipple.  The 
shade  trees  were  twisted  entirely  off,  and  the  stone  wall,  in  several  places, 
laid  level  with  the  ground.  The  tops  of  chimneys  were  here  taken  off;  a  barn 
belonging  to  Richard  Clark,  and  a  barn  belonging  to  Mr.  William  Robinson, 
were  instantly  swept  away.  It  next  encountered  a  woodlot  of  27  or  28  acres, 
and  our  informant  thinks  that  not  more  than  five  acres  remain.  Almost  every 
tree  was  torn  up  and  level  with  the  earth. — Next  a  wood-house  and  barn,  be- 
longing to  Mr.  Nathan  Nye  blown  down,  and  his  orchard  nearly  destroyed, — 
A  wood  lot  of  20  acres,  belonging  to  Mr.  Cochran,  (who  also  lost  two  barns 
and  his  oi-chard  destroyed)  almost  ruined.  The  cornfields  look  as  if  a  heavy 
log  of  wood  had  been  rolled  over  them."  Tradition  says  the  wind  caught  up 
an  ox-cart  in  Capt.  Holbrook's  yard  carried  it  over  the  road,  brook  and  drove 
the  neap  into  the  bank  with  such  force  that  it  required  a  pair  of  oxen  to  ex- 
tract it. 

FIRES 

The  fiery  elements  have  done  quite  serious  damage  for  the  size  of  the  town 
and  been  detriment  to  its  prosperity  in  many  cases.  The  following  is  a  com- 
plete list  so  far  as  discovered : 

1798-99,  Asa  Wilcox,  Sr.  lost  a  building  in  which  ham  and  bacon  was  being 
smoked.  Several  of  his  neighbors  suffered  the  loss  of  their  "ham  &  eggs"  by 
this  fire.     The  building  stood  near  No.  127,  in  Wilcoxville. 

Friday,  June  21,  1805,  a  fire  destroyed  the  house  of  John  Brockway  in 
Surry  during  this  night,  "with  the  principal  part  of  its  contents" — taken  from 
K.  S.  This  was  No.  34  where  George  A.  Hall  now  lives.  Nov.  6,  1806  the 
farm  was  adv.  for  sale — 80  rods  south  of  the  meeting  house;  a  good  barn  and 
"a  new  house  partly  finished." 

One  Sunday  about  1845  a  barn  was  burned  at  the  "Cones"  (No.  27)  by  a 
small  boy  playing  with  matches. 

.  All  the  barns  on  the  George  Joslin  place  (No.  172)  were  destroyed  by  a 
fire  in  Oct.  1869.  He  not  only  lost  his  buildings  but  about  100  tons  of  hay  and 
grain.  The  fire  was  supposed  to  have  been  set  by  a  neighbor,  who  soon 
after  notified  Mr.  Joslin  that  his  "barns  were  all  a  fire."  Apr.  13,  1903,  the 
old  house  and  barns  on  this  place  were  also  destroyed  by  a  chimney  fire. 

Oct.  22,  1870,  George  H.  Rand's  house  and  barn  at  No.  173  were  wiped  out 
by  a  fire,  said  to  have  started  when  his  horse  fell  over  his  lantern. 

During  the  summer  of  1870,  John  Johnson's  house  at  No.  80  was  destroyed 
by  a  fire  supposed  to  have  started  by  placing  hot  ashes  in  a  barrel  in  the  shed. 

Aug.  9,  1872,  Lightning  struck  the  barn  of  Amos  H.  Carter  (at  No.  24)  and 
it  was  destroyed.    The  present  large  barn  was  built  on  the  same  site. 

Dec.  28,  1887,  Jackson  Reed  lost  his  house  by  a  chimney  fire,  and  on  the 
same  spot  the  present  one  was  built  the  next  year.  Mrs.  Reed  was  the  only 
one  at  home  and  she  ran  to  Shaw's  corner  to  summon  help. 

May  31,  1878,  George  B.  Britton's  house  was  destroyed  by  a  chimney  fire. 
He  built  on  the  same  site  the  present  dwelling  at  No.  30. 

June  6,  1888,  Stephen  H.  Clement  lost  all  his  buildings  by  a  fire  from  light- 
ning.   He  built  the  same  year  the  present  buildings  on  the  same  spot. 


Casualties,  Fires,  Crimes,  Etc.  259 

Aug,  21,  1900,  Sidney  J.  Wilder  while  living  at  No,  102  lost  all  the  buildings 
on  this  farm  by  fire  which  started  in  the  night  from  an  arch  in  the  shed. 

Nov.  9,  1902,  The  large  house  and  barn  at  "Shaw's  Corner"  were  all  de- 
stroyed by  a  fire  which  started  from  a  chimney. 

Apr.  15,  1905,  a  grass  fire  destroyed  the  barns  at  the  Jonathan  R.  Field 
place  (No.  16)  now  owned  by  the  Keller  family. 

In  1906-7  the  barn  on  the  Capt.  Holbrook  farm  (No.  126)  owned  by  Chas. 
H.  Hodgkins  was  destroyed  by  the  Blake-Fitzgerald  boy. 

Feb.  4,  1907  the  same  lad  applied  a  match  to  F,  F.  Field's  barn.  No.  39 
during  the  early  evening,  but  help  arrived  and  the  fire  was  put  out.  Having 
failed  in  this  attempt,  he  set  the  Warren  Carpenter  barn  (No.  54)  on  fire 
during  the  same  evening  which  was  destroyed  along  with  all  the  buildings  on 
the  village  hotel  property — No.  55. 

On  or  about  Mar.  16,  1888  a  barn  on  No.  54,  owned  by  the  Carpenters  was 
destroyed,  and  on  the  site  the  present  one  was  soon  after  built. 

Everett  E.  Wilbur  lost  a  barn  at  No.  184,  Aug.  1910  (?).  The  fire  was 
caused  by  his  grandson  playing  with  matches. 

Dec.  23,  1909,  Edward  J.  Guillow  lost  his  buildings  through  a  defective 
chimney  and  but  little  of  the  contents  was  saved.  He  built  the  present  house 
the  next  year  on  same  spot — No.  188. 

Apr.  14,  1915,  Leon  A.  Hodgkins'  buildings  were  all  destroyed  at  No.  125 
from  a  fire  which  started  from  an  unknown  cause  in  the  barn  during  the 
evening. 

Sunday  afternoon,  June  6,  1915  the  most  spectacular  and  disastrous  fire  to 
visit  this  town  took  place  when  all  the  buildings  at  No.  23  were  destroyed. 
Jasper  N.  Keller  owned  the  property.  There  was  a  two  story  house,  the  old 
Dr.  Peter  Monroe  house  (used  as  a  stoi'e  house),  a  creamery,  a  large  horse 
barn  north  of  the  dwelling  house,  and  three  large  barns.  The  main  barn  was 
a  model  of  its  kind,  having  basement  floor  for  cattle,  above  this,  the  floor  on 
which  the  hay  was  driven  in  over  a  raised  platform,  then  came  the  loft  or 
"high  beams."  There  was  a  chimney  for  heating  the  "root  cellar"  in  the 
basement,  and  above  all  was  a  well  placed  cupola  surmounted  by  a  weather- 
cock. They  were  the  largest  and  most  expensive  set  of  buildings  in  town, 
painted  and  in  prime  condition  at  the  time  of  the  fire.  The  cause  was  attri- 
buted to  farm-help  smoking  in  the  horse-barn  where  the  fire  started, 

A  fire  destroyed  one  or  two  buildings  of  the  Granite  State  Gold  and  Silver 
Mining  Co.  about  1882.    They  were  near  the  shaft  on  the  Gilsum  side. 

Sunday,  Apr.  1,  1923,  a  chimney  fire,  starting  about  noon,  destroyed  the 
house  and  barns  on  the  Edmund  Woodward  place.  No,  11,  owned  by  William 
S,  Morine.  The  stock,  most  of  farming  tools  and  a  portion  of  household 
goods  were  saved.    Insurance,  $2000. 

Several  other  fires  have  been  discovered  in  season  without  doing  great  dam- 
age: 

About  1848  a  chimney  fire  started  a  blaze  on  the  roof  of  the  Capt.  Thomas 
Humphrey  tavern  (No.  68)  but  by  timely  aid  the  house  was  saved. 


260  History  of  Surry 

About  July  1,  1880,  Ephraim  B.  Newton  while  living  in  the  old  Peter  Hay- 
ward  house  discovered  a  fire,  but  it  was  put  out  without  doing  much  damage. 

During  the  time  Royal  Watkins  was  living  at  the  Frank  E.  B.  Mason  place 
the  lightning  struck  just  north  of  his  barn  (now  standing)  and  killed  several 
sheep  and  started  a  fire  in  the  barn,  but  held  from  a  stage-coach  which  had 
hauled  up  nearby  came  and  the  fire  was  put  out  without  serious  damage. 

Forest  Fires 

In  former  times  several  forest  fires  have  raged  on  Surry  Mountain  destroy- 
ing much  valuable  wood  and  timber. 

The  last  fire  was  started  July  4,  1911  by  a  flash  of  lightning  during  a  slight 
shower.  It  burned  over  from  200  to  300  acres  and  was  under  a  constant 
watch  for  some  two  weeks.  It  was  near  the  top  of  the  Mountain,  northeast  of 
the  village. 


CRIME 


This  town  has  been  unusually  free  from  crime  having  but  few  cases  to 
come  before  a  Court,  and  so  far  as  knoivn,  only  one  capital  crime  and  that 
committed  by  a  transient  foreigner.     A  partial  list  follows. 

William  Griswold  was  arrested  and  served  time  in  Keene  jail  about  1845 
for  obtaining  money  from  Elijah  Holbrook  under  constraint. 

1906-7,  Charles  C.  (Blake)  Fitzgerald  when  about  16  years  of  age  fired  a 
building  in  edge  of  Alstead,  then  the  Capt.  Holbrook  barns  and  lastly  the  vil- 
lage hotel  barns  and  Francis  F.  Field's  barn.  A  detective  was  employed,  he 
was  arrested  and  finally  confessed  after  which  he  was  sent  to  Concord  but 
was  released  after  a  few  months.  There  is  a  feeling,  at  least  on  the  part  of 
some,  that  the  lad  was  forced  by  another  party  to  commit  the  acts. 

Sept.  30,  1921,  Warren  P.  Fisk,  a  wood-chopper  boarding  at  F.  E.  Pomroy's 
at  No.  227,  assaulted  William  LeFluer  an  innocent  young  man  working  in 
the  neighborhood.  He  was  struck  three  blows  on  the  head  with  a  hammer  by 
Fisk  who  left  the  state;  subsequently  was  arrested  in  Vermont  and  is  now 
serving  a  sentence  in  the  prison  at  Concord. 

At  the  time  of  building  the  railroad  1846-47,  a  large  gang  of  Irishmen  were 
employed  in  cutting  through  the  "summit"  and  numerous  assaults  as  well  as 
crime  were  committed  among  the  men,  but  we  have  no  details,  nor  do  we  know 
that  they  took  place  within  our  township.  The  state  militia  was  finally  called 
out  and  for  one  winter  were  stationed  in  barracks  near  the  east  end  of  the 
"cut."  Several  deaths  and  two  or  three  murders  took  place — most  of  the 
burials  were  in  the  cemetery  near  the  Town  Farm,  in  Surry. 

The  Samuel  Meservey  Case 

Probably  nothing  in  the  whole  history  of  the  town  has  created  more  gossip, 
suspicion  and  excitement  than  the  McCurdy-Meservey  controversy  which  was 
at  its  height  in  1803-04,  and  is  mentioned  to  this  day  by  old  residents.  It  was 
the  means  not  only  of  driving  McCurdy  out  of  business,  but  out  of  town. 


Casualties,  Fires,  Crimes,  Etc.  261 

Lieut.  John  McCurdy,  a  farmer,  merchant  and  inn-keeper  was  living  at  No. 
12  and  doing  a  prosperous  business;  the  stage  coach — passenger  and  freight — 
passed  and  put  up  at  his  tavern  daily.  During  the  fall  of  1802  a  Mr.  Samuel 
Meservey,  a  seaman,  reputed  to  have  had  considerable  money  came  along  and 
began  work  shaving  shingles  for  Mr.  McCurdy  with  whom  he  worked  until 
the  night  of  Dec.  24,  1802  when  he  suddenly  disappeared,  and  soon  after  Mc- 
Curdy was  accused  of  murdering  him  for  his  money.  Tradition  says  he  was 
buried  in  the  cellar,  in  the  South  mill-pond,  and  even  in  the  Lily  pond  on  top 
of  Surry  Mountain.  Two  articles  in  his  defense  appeared  in  Keene  Sentinel 
during  1803,  from  which  Mr.  McCurdy  proves  Meservey  was  seen  after  the 
above  date  in  Lempster,  N.  H.,  and  also  in  Concord,  Mass.  From  what  can 
now  be  learned,  "suspicion"  ran  high  and  many  believed  a  crime  had  been 
committed,  yet  no  one  was  ever  arrested,  and  we  are  inclined  to  give  the 
accused  the  "benefit  of  the  doubt." 


CHAPTER  XIV 
REMINISCENCES    OF    SURRY    AND    KEENE 

The  following  letter  written  by  Freeman  Carpenter  Watkins;  born  in 
Surry  Mar.  29,  1811  who  removed  to  Michigan  with  his  father's  family  in 
April,  1835,  was  printed  in  Keene  Sentinel  in  1874,  and  covered  a  period  of 
about  forty  years  prior  to  that  time: 

"Dear  Sentinel: — Born  and  reared  within  sound  of  your  church  going 
bells,  and  having  been  a  constant  reader  of  the  Sentinel  for  fifty  years, 
my  heart  still  turns  with  an  irresistable  impulse  to  that  natal  spot 
where  it  was  ushered  into  existence.  Forty  years  ago  Surry  was  noted 
for  its  many  hostelries.  On  the  highland  in  the  West  part  of  the  town 
was  the  Pollard  Tavern  (where  Alonzo  F.  Wilbur  now — 1920 — lives), 
famous  for  its  New  England  rum  and  gin,  where  the  Walpole  Artillery 
and  Rangers  took  the  parting  glass  as  they  left  the  Walpole  hills  for 
their  muster  grounds  in  the  beautiful  valley  of  the  Ashuelot. 

On  the  river  road,  first  was  the  Inn  of  Peter  Hayward,  a  lineal  de- 
scendant of  the  first  settler.  Next,  near  the  Center,  was  the  house  of 
Capt.  Jonathan  Robinson,  Postmaster,  a  representative  of  one  of  the  old 
reliable  families. 

Next  came  the  hotel  of  Capt.  Thomas  Humphrey,  a  burly  salt-water 
sailor.  At  the  North,  almost  within  rifle  shot  of  the  Alstead  line,  Capt. 
Francis  Holbrook  entertained  man  and  beast.  He  was  a  man  of  fine 
address  and  reputed  to  be  the  wealthiest  man  in  the  township. 

Isaiah  Robbins  was  landlord  of  the  old  Harvey  House.  Robbins  was 
a  hearty  fellow;  drove  a  six-horse  team  between  Boston  and  Bellows 
Falls;  set  a  good  table  and  was  fortunate  in  having  a  wife  of  some  ac- 
quirements. Here  on  Saturdays  a  set  of  roistering  fellows  were  wont 
to  congregate.  John  Tufts,  George  Baxter,  Mason  Watkins,  Belding 
Dart  and  other  kindred  spirits,  met  to  drink  flip  and  toddy,  and  amuse 
themselves  in  pulling  sticks,  fisticuffs  and  other  muscular  exercises. 
Here  also  was  the  head-quarters  of  Abijah  Benton,  who  taught  dancing 
and  etiquette  to  the  rising  generation.  Where  is  the  native  of  Surry 
who  does  not  remember  "Bige  Benton's"  dancing  school? 

In  stepping  Durang's  Hornpipe  and  beating  the  kettle  drum,  Benton 
was  without  a  rival;  in  drinking  and  swearing,  (sad  to  relate)  he  had 
no  superior. 

At  this  period,  Esq.  David  Shaw  and  Royal  Watkins  were  the  two  lit- 
erary men  of  the  township.  Belonging  to  different  political  parties, 
they  were  the  only  ones  that  could  draft  a  set  of  pertinent  resolutions, 
and  discharge  the  duties  of  secretary  of  a  caucus  or  convention  with 
propriety.    They  were  both  veteran  school-masters. 

Reared  in  adjoining  towns  they  sought  and  found  their  wives  in  the 
old  pioneer  families  of  Surry.  Esq.  Shaw  gave  to  his  country  a  large 
family  of  stalwart  sons,  and  lovely  daughters.  He  deceased  a  few  years 
since  at  the  advanced  age  of  84  years.  The  soil  of  New  Hampshire 
rests  lightly  on  his  bosom. 


Reminiscences  263 

The  other,  with  his  family,  sought  their  fortunes  in  the  West.  He 
is  still  living  in  Jackson  Co.,  Michigan  in  his  86th  year,  with  faculties 
unimpaired;  he  can  solve  a  problem  in  mathematics  or  dance  the  High- 
land reel  with  the  same  ease  and  grace  as  he  did  50  years  ago. 

Rev.  Perley  Howe  was  the  settled  and  resident  minister;  he  was  a 
graduate  of  Dartmouth  college — a  man  of  spotless  life  and  liberal  views; 
charitable  to  all,  he  won  and  retained  the  love  and  respect  of  his  fellow 
townsmen. 

Norvell,  Mich. 

January  1874.  F.  C.  W." 

Inspired  by  the  preceding  letter,  the  following  appeared  in  the  Sentinel  of 
March  5th,  1874,  and  was  written  by  Mrs.  Betsey  (Monroe)  Cadis  of  Charles- 
town,  Mass.     She  was  born  in  Surry  July  21,  1800: 

REMINISCENCES  OF   SURRY  AND   KEENE. 

New  Hampshire  Sentinel,  Keene,  N.  H.,  March  5,  1874. 

"Mr.  Editor: — Some  kind  friend  sent  us  a  recent  number  of  the 
SENTINEL  containing  a  letter  written  by  a  former  resident  of  Surry,* 
in  which  he  gives  interesting  reminiscences  of  events  that  occurred  in 
Surry  and  Keene  forty  years  ago.  Being  a  native  of  Surry  myself,  and 
a  resident  of  the  place  at  that  and  an  earlier  period,  my  recollection  ex- 
tends back  more  than  sixty-five  years;  and  those  jottings  or  records  by 
your  correspondent  served  to  open  the  store-house  of  my  memory,  from 
which  issued  many  old,  familiar  faces  and  forgotten  incidents  of  the 
past.  From  the  mass  of  material  thus  presented  it  will  be  my  endeavor 
to  select  such  as  will  be  of  some  interest  to  the  general  reader  as  well  as 
to  those  of  Surry,  and  her  sons,  daughters  and  descendants  everywhere. 

The  Public  Conveyance 

"From  Boston  to  Surry,  some  fifty  years  ago  and  earlier,  was  by 
stage-coach — entering  Keene  at  the  southern  extremity  and  passing 
through  the  entire  length  (nearly  a  mile)  of  the  splendid  avenue,  or 
Main  street.  Keene  being  the  birth-place  of  my  beloved  mother,  filial 
love  and  respect  suggests  at  least  a  passing  notice  of  her  kindred  there, 
though  distant.  Deacon  Fisher  of  "Ash  Swamp,"  so-called,  Mr.  Colony 
(Josiah,  I  think)  the  clothier,  and  the  Messrs.  Briggs,  cabinet  makers, 
were  all  first  cousins  of  my  mother.  Descendants  are  probably  still  liv- 
ing there.  Among  the  prominent  merchant  firms  of  that  period  with 
whom  we  traded  were  the  Messrs.  Hall  Brothers,  Appleton  &  Elliot,  and 
Samuel  Gerould  on  the  West  side  of  the  street,  and  Messrs.  Lamson  and 
Perry  on  the  East  side.  There  were  others  not  so  well  remembered. 
Good  "Uncle  Bijah"  (Abijah)  Kingsbury,  shoe  dealer,  was  too  well 
known  to  be  forgotten — many  pleasant  incidents  concerning  him  are  re- 
membered. Miss  Fisk,  the  beloved  and  highly  respected  principal  of 
the  Young  Ladies'  Seminary  is  particularly  remembered;  also  Doctors 
Twitchell  and  Douseman.     There  wei'e  many  other  gentlemen,  as  well  as 


''See  the  preceding  letter  hy   F.   C.   W. 


264 


History  of  Surry 


ladies,  favorably  known  and  pleasantly  remembered  as  friends  of  our 
family,  then  residents  of  Keene.  But  we  must  hasten  on  to  our  destina- 
tion— Surry.     Before  introducing  any  of  its  inhabitants,  let  us  take 

A  Topographical  View  of  the  Town  Itself. 

"Probably  there  are  few  towns  in  or  out  of  New  England,  of  similar 
dimensions,  (five  miles  in  length,  and  less  in  breadth),  that  surpass  or 
even  rival  Surry  in  romantic  location  and  picturesque  scenery  of  hill 
and  vale — comparing  favorably  with  the  wildest  scenery  of  the  Old 
World. 

Bounded 

"The  entire  length  on  the  East  by  "Surry  Mountain,"  on  the  North  by 
the  famed  "Alstead   Hills,"  on  the  West  by  a  range  and  pile  of  hills, 


Surry  Mountain 


South  by  the  thrifty  and  beautiful  town  of  Keene,  the  peculiar  form  of 
the  arable  portion  suggests  that  of  a  "trough  with  one  end  knocked 
cut,"  as  a  wag  facetiously  remarked. 

The  River 

"At  the  base  of  the  mountain,  and  running  the  whole  length  of  it  and 
through  Keene,  is  the  well-known,  picturesque,  serpentine  little  river, 
Ashuelot — lively  here,  placid  there,  and  beautiful  everywhere  in  sum- 
mer; but  in  Spring-time,  when  the  sun  gives  the  mountain  a  sweat,  the 
melting  snow  sometimes  suddenly  causes  a  freshet.  The  river  then  be- 
came grand  in  its  proportions  and  erratic  in  its  movements,  undermin- 
ing trees,  flooding  the  lowlands  and  strewing  them  with  blocks  of  ice, 
drift-wood,  gravel  and  sand,  to  the  dismay  and  discomfiture  of  the 
farmers  and  to  the  injury  of  acres  of  grass  land. 


Reminiscences 


265 


An  Incident 

"Of  one  of  these  Spring  floods  (over  sixty  years  since)  was  so  deeply 
impressed  on  my  mind  that  it  comes  to  me  at  this  time  with  wonderful 
vividness.  A  party  of  lads  and  lasses,  invited  to  a  "sugaring-off"  in 
the  maple  grove,  had  assembled  at  the  timber-bridge  crossing;  a  portion 
of  the  party  had  passed  over  in  safety;  five  others,  more  timid,  (three 
lads  and  two  girls),  and  linked  together  in  single  file,  had  stepped  upon 
the  end  plank,  when  a  small  dog,  running  to  meet  them,  was  sportively 
seized  by  the  fore-man  and  thrown  into  the  river.  The  action  caused  a 
movement  of  the  plank,  and  all  were  dropped  into  the  river.  Four  read- 
ily escaped,  more  wet  than  hurt,  while  the  fifth  (the  dog-seizer)  was 
carried  down  stream  by  the  swift  current,  and  being  no  swimmer,  would 
have  drowned  had  he  not  caught  hold  of  a  friendly  shrub  that  hung  over 
and  into  the  water,  to  which  he  clung  until  rescued. 

The  Mountain  Lily.  Pond 

"As  described  by  an  explorer,  'was  the  result  of  remarkable  freaks 
of  nature,'  and  is  singularly  beautiful,  in  its  surroundings  and  its  lo- 
cation. During  portions  of  the  year  it  furnishes  water  for  a  series  of 
zig-zag  cascades,  reaching  from  the  top  of  the  mountain  to  the  river  at 


Lily  Pond 


its  base.  The  growth  of  trees  around  (and  seemingly  nourished  by  it) 
was  very  dense.  Several  years  ago  a  whirlwind  drove  through  and  up- 
rooted a  large  number  of  them,  thus  adding  another  interesting  and  in- 
structive feature  to  the  place.  A  person  standing  by  the  church  or  the 
old  Robinson  (now  Warren  Carpenter's)  tavern  and  looking  due  East 
at  the  summit  of  the  lofty  mountain,  would  never  suppose  the  topmost 


266  History  of  Surry 

01'  highest  trees*  surrounded  an  acre,  more  or  less,  of  deep  water.  Yet, 
such  a  pond  is  there,  and  the  urchins  of  the  town  believed  it  fathomless. 
Many  a  weird  story  have  the  juveniles  heard  of  day  and  night  adven- 
tures on  and  about  this  strange,  hermit-like  pond.  Some  have  heard  of 
the 

Mine  On  the  Mountain   Side 

"Between  the  pond  and  the  river,  which  is  hardly  worth  mentioning. 
It  has  the  merit  of  not  having  cost  much.  A  fall  to  the  bottom  of  it 
would  be  no  serious  matter,§  for  it  is  almost  as  shallow  as  some  of  the 
mines  on  paper,  where  the  stock-holders  (not  the  mines)  have  been 
blasted. 

The  Mountain  Fires 

Always  exciting,  have  sometimes  been  awfully  grand;  especially  so 
at  one  time  when  hundreds  of  acres  were  burning  over  on  the  loftiest 
Eastern  range.  At  night  the  burning  of  the  tall  pines  and  hemlocks, 
scattered  among  other  trees  along  the  sides  or  upon  the  summit,  in  bold 
relief  against  the  sky,  resembled  church  spires  burning  and  falling — 
some  of  them  shooting  down  the  granite  ledges  and  making  an  impres- 
sion of  sublimity  never  to  be  forgotten  by  those  who  saw  it.  Less  than 
two  miles  North  of  the  pond,  on  the  same  mountain  range,  stands 

"Bald  Mountain" 

"A  high,  precipitous,  rocky  formation,  situated  hack  of  the  "Baxter 
homestead,"  (more  recently  Esq.  Shaw's)  on  the  Gilsum  road.  Though 
seemingly  perpendicular  as  seen  from  the  "turnpike,"  yet  on  the  East- 
ern side  it  is  comparatively  of  easy  ascent.  With  the  exception  of  a 
few  stinted  shrubs,  the  summit  was  (over  sixty  years  ago)  almost  des- 
titute of  soil  and  vegetation.  Here  this  "Sentinel  Rock"  (like  its  pro- 
totype of  that  name  in  California)  has  stood  for  ages,  watching  as  it 
were,  the  mutual  approaching  of  the  Eastern  mountain  and  Western 
hills,  till  at  the  Northern  lines,  or  a  short  distance  beyond,  (if  I  mistake 
not)  they  meet  and  lovingly  greet  each  other.  Doubtless  there  are 
other  lesser  freaks  of  nature  observable  on  the  Western  hills,  of  which 
I  am  not  so  well  informed,  so  we  will  hasten  Southerly  to  within  a  half 
mile  of  the  town  line,  and  rest  awhile  on 

"Dinah's  Rock" 

So  called  because  here  our  only  Indian  representative  (Dinah  Arm- 
strong) was  wont  to  sit  and  rest  in  her  rambles,  from  her  lone  home 
in  the  South-western  part,  to  the  middle  of  the  town,  making  friendly 
calls  on  each  family,  receiving  a  kindly  welcome,  a  substantial  meal, 
and  a  cup  of  tea,  and  telling  the  fortunes  (in  her  comical  way)  of  many 
a  merry,  light-hearted  lad  and  lass.  This  large,  flat  rock  stands  close  to 
the  road-side,  and  was  a  favorite  resort  of  the  youth  of  the  vicinity, 
where  they  chatted  and  sung  to  their  hearts'  content.  Many  a  weary 
pedestrian  has  accepted  its  friendly  and  tempting  offer  of  rest  in  the 


*NOTE — The   Lily   pond  is    in   the    "sag"    on   the  mountain. 

§This    was    hefore    the   days    of    the   Granite    State   Gold    &    Silver    Mining   Co. 


Reminiscences  267 

past,  and  for  ages  to  come  will  the  weai-y  traveller  avail  himself  of  the 
proffered  rest  on  "Dinah's  Rock."  A  short  distance  further  South  is 
pointed  out  the  route  of  a  veritable 

Black  Bear 

While  on  his  way  from  the  river,  through  fields,  over  fences  and 
across  the  road  at  the  fork,  and  on,  to  the  Western  hills.  His  passage 
through  our  section  (the  old  Dr.  Monroe's)  was  unhonored  and  unim- 
peded. Being,  probably,  the  last  visit  of  a  free  native  bruin  to  the 
town,  I  thought  the  occurence  should  not  be  overlooked,  as  it  was  not 
forgotten.  A  few  rods  farther,  to  the  right  from  the  "fork,"  in  the 
grove  on  the  hill-side,  is  a  large 

Heavy  Rock 

So  nicely  poised  on  a  much  smaller  rock,  that  it  has  the  appearance 
of  being  just  on  the  point  of  falling;  and  many  times  stalwart  men  and 
boys  have  assembled  there  on  Fourths  of  July  to  have  a  jolification  in 
throwing  that  venerable  fixture  from  its  elevation  down  the  hill  by 
their  united  strength — but  in  vain;  and  for  aught  I  know  it  still  remains 
where  nature  placed  it.     Before  paying  our  respects  to  the  native-born 

Inhabitants, 

It  may  be  well  to  state  that  some  fifty  years  ago  (perhaps  later) 
there  was  not  a  "foreigner"  in  the  town,  and  but  one  colored  person, 
(the  Indian  woman,  Dinah,)  but  some  ten  or  fifteen  years  before,  there 
were  three  families  by  the  name  of  McCurdy.  The  parents  and  their 
two  sons  were  native  of  (the  North  of)  Ireland.  One  son,  certainly, 
married  an  American  girl,  and  had  several  children.  This  son  lived  on 
the  Page  (now  Edmund  Woodward — 1874)  farm,  and  "kept  tavern." 
The  aged  parents  occupied  a  small  house  near  by.  Little  was  known  of 
their  antecedents,  but  it  was  known  that  the  father  was  a  very  passion- 
ate man  from  the  fact  that  once,  in  a  rage,  he  knocked  down  his  hired 
man,  (Job  Stone,)  and  seeing  him  apparently  lifeless  he  anxiously  in- 
quired, "Job,  are  ye  dead?  Speak  if  you  be!"  while  his  affrighted  wife 
said,  "Ye  will  have  to  flee  the  counthry  again."  The  other  son  lived 
near  Dinah's  Rock,  on  the  Willard  Smith  farm.  All  left  Surry  over 
fifty  years  ago.  Of  other  inhabitants — on  the  extreme  Northern  limits 
of  the  town  resided  Esq.  Hills,  one  of  nature's  noblemen.  He  had  two 
worthy  sons,  and  one  daughter.  One  noticeable  feature  of  the  location 
was,  that  his  fine  house  was  in  Surry  and  his  barn  (just  beyond)  was 
in  Alstead.  Of  the  medical  fraternity.  Dr.  Philip  Monroe  was  the  pio- 
neer resident  physician.  Two  of  the  sons,  the  oldest  and  youngest, 
were  eminent  physicians  and  surgeons  in  Maine.  The  originator  and 
practitioner  of  the  "Botanic  system"  of  healing.  Dr.  Samuel  Thompson, 
was  a  resident  of  Surry  many  years,  but  subsequently  located  at  Bos- 
ton, where  he  had  an  extensive  and  successful  practice  until  his  death. 
He  had  three  or  four  sons;  all  migrated  West  and  became  eminent  bot- 
anic physicians  in  their  respective  localities.  Dr.  John  Thompson,  the 
youngest,  settled  in  Albany,  N.  Y.,  and  for  a  time  edited  and  published 


268  History  of  Surry 

the  BOTANIC  WATCHMAN.  Becoming  opulent,  he  presented  his  na- 
tive town,  Surry,  with  a  bell  for  the  church.  The  acceptance  and  raising 
of  the  bell  was  the  occasion  of  a  large  gathering  and  public  demonstra- 
tion of  joy  by  the  inhabitants.  An  oration  was  delivered  by  Jonathan 
Robinson,  Jr.,  Esq.,  (now — 1874 — a  resident  of  Keene),  and  a  report  of 
the  memorable  event  was  duly  published  in  the  SENTINEL  of  that 
period.  Surry  can  lay  claim  to  another  Editor,  in  the  person  of  Mr. 
Asahel  Harvey,  Jr.,  the  only  son  of  our  worthy  town  clerk.  He  served 
his  apprenticeship  in  the  Sentinel  office,  Keene,  and  afterward  located 
and  published  a  weekly  paper  in  Canandaigua,  N.  Y. 

Surry  contained  many  lovers  of  music,  and  some  excellent  singers. 
Among  the  former  were  our  venerable  pastor  (Rev.  Perley  Howe)  and 
David  Shaw,  Esq.  Neither  made  any  pretension  to  musical  talent,  but 
encouraged  it  in  others.  Esq.  Shaw's  lovely  daughters  were  indeed 
sweet  singers.  A  pleasant  event  comes  to  my  mind:  On  the  writer's 
sixteenth  birth-day,  on  a  Sunday  in  July,  a  stranger  musical  minister 
and  several  gentlemen  singers  from  Keene,  among  whom  was  the  late 
Mr.  J.  Lamson,  happened  to  be  at  the  church  and  took  part  in  the  sing- 
ing. On  leaving  the  church,  Mr.  L.  remarked  to  those  around  him,  "If 
you  want  to  hear  better  music  than  that,  you  must  go  out  of  this  world 
for  it."  He,  and  many  other  participants  in  the  exercises  of  that  day 
have  "passed  on"  to  find  the  better  music. 

"This  opening  of  "memory's  store-house"  and  giving  reins  to  imagin- 
ation on  a  mental  trip  to  Surry  has  caused  me  to  so  mingle  with  the 
pleasant  past  that  for  the  time  being  I  had  forgotten  that  I  had  passed 
the  allotted  time  of  "three  score  years  and  ten." 

Yours  respectfully,  B.  C. 

Charlestown,  Mass.,  Feb.  1874." 


NOTE — The  author  of  this  history  has  made  three  or  four  slight  additions  to   the  original 
paper  which  are  given  in  parentheses. 

Mrs.  Cadis  concludes  her  reminiscences  with  the  following: 

POEM 
"THE   LEAVE-TAKING." 

"These  pleasant  tales,  of  hills   and  glens, 

Described  in  such  a  hurry, 
I  dedicate  to  former  friends. 

Inhabitants  of  Surry. 

And  trust  no  one  will  feel  aggrieved, 

Or  deem  me  false  or  slurry, 
If  they'er  included  and  preceived 

In  this  pen-sketch  of  Surry. 

When  memory  brings  dear  forms  to  view, 
My  eyes  are  rather  blurry; 


Reminiscences  269 

Of  many  friends,  but  very  few 
Are  dwelling,  now  in  Surry. 

I've  learned  to  see  things  "for  the  best," 

And  not  to  fret  or  worry. 
Although  this  form,  when  laid  to  rest, 

Will  be  elsewhere  than  Surry. 

Now,  "fare-thee-well,"  natal  town — 

Thine  errors  let  us  bury. 
And  trust  thy  future,   (of  renown,) 

Will  be  for  good,  to  Surry. 

Charlestown,  Mass.,  February  1874.  B.  C." 


The  following  is  a  partial  copy  of  an  article  written  by  Francis  F.  Field 
and  published  in  the  New  Hampshire  Sentinel,  May  8,  1897: 

AN   OLD  BURIAL  YARD 

In  going  from  Keene  to  Surry,  when  beyond  the  stone  bridge  looking 
north  over  the  graceful  elms  which  line  the  Ashuelot,  can  be  seen, 
several  miles  away,  a  broad  pasture  sloping  toward  us,  its  highest  point 
a  broken  ledge,  which  stands  in  peaceful  contrast  between  the  earth  and 
sky.  In  summer  this  slope  lies  warm  in  the  sunlight  and  in  winter  its 
snows  glow  with  a  purer  light  than  that  of  the  lower  hills.  It  is  the 
south  end  of  Surry  mountain  and  is  called  the  pinnacle. 

A  near  view  would  show  that  here  the  mountain  leaves  its  regular 
curve  and  pushes  the  ledge  boldly  out  toward  Surry  valley,  its  bare 
breast  exposed  to  all  the  moods  of  the  western  sky.  This  ledge  is  a  hun- 
dred feet  or  more  in  height,  the  upper  part  conglomerate,  the  sides 
coarse  quartz  and  mica,  blackened  in  places  with  scale  moss,  the  crypto- 
gamia  on  rocks  of  the  higher  hills.  It  is  the  watch-tower  of  the  Ashue- 
lot valley.  From  its  top  can  be  traced  the  winding  ways  of  the  river 
from  the  upper  end  of  Surry  through  Keene  into  Swanzey.  Nearly 
every,  if  not  every  house  in  the  first  mentioned  town  can  be  seen.  In 
the  southeast  is  Monadnock,  the  line  of  its  western  decline  pointing 
toward  Keene;  to  the  right  of  the  city  the  Ash  Swamp  meadows,  the 
rails  of  the  Fitchburg  railroad  *  track  drawn  through  them  like  a 
silver  wix'e;  still  farther  on  and  up  amidst  the  haze,  Saddleback  (or 
Stratton  mountain  in  Vermont),  one  of  the  highest  of  the  Green  moun- 
tains; in  the  west  and  north  of  the  hills  of  Walpole  and  Alstead,  with 
their  many  miles  of  forest  and  clearing. 

From  this  ledge  the  mountain  slopes  gently  toward  the  east,  a  mile  or 
less,  meeting  a  smaller  hill,  and  with  a  similar  decline  on  the  south 
runs  into  the  low  lands  in  Keene.  It  is  mostly  an  open  field,  a  deep  glen 
cutting  in  north  and  south  through  the  middle.  Through  this  glen,  dark 
with  pines  which  grow  upon  its  sides,  runs  the  Sturtevant  brook,  mak- 


*Originally    this    was    the    Cheshire    railroad,     then    Fitchburg    and    now     the    Fitchburg 
division  of  the  Boston  &   Maine  railroad  system. 


270  History  of  Surry 

ing  just  before  entering  the  meadows  far  below  a  beautiful  cascade 
named  by  a  local  poet  Glen  Ellen.  Over  the  glen  east  of  the  pinnacle 
is  an  old  graveyard.  The  last  burial  of  which  any  stone  makes  record 
is  in  the  year  1799. 

The  yard  is  in  a  most  picturesque  slope  in  the  open  field  which  is  used 
for  a  pasture.  All  traces  of  any  fence  which  there  may  have  been  is 
gone.  There  are  but  eight  headstones,  some  natural  slabs  and  others 
black  slate  with  winged  heads  in  the  arch  which  have  inscriptions,  and 
of  these  but  two  are  standing.  The  others  are  lying  upon  the  ground, 
some  of  them  broken  into  several  pieces.  The  oldest  death  recorded  here 
is  64  years.  The  yard  is  in  Gilsum  not  many  rods  from  the  Keene  line. 
Mrs.  Ebenezer  Kilburn  was  the  first  person  who  died  in  that  town;  she 
was  but  twenty  years  old  (died  June  ye  25th  1765),  a  fair,  delicate  girl, 
who  came  from  one  of  the  wealthy  families  of  Connecticut.  An  epitaph 
on  one  of  the  two  stones  still  standing  dwelt  in  our  minds  as  we  walked 
home  in  the  cool  winter  twilight :  "Let  me  not  forgotten  lie."  It  seemed 
like  the  last  appeal  to  care  for  this  place  before  it  sinks  forever  into 
the  deep  of  night.  Our  fore-father's  perhaps  belong  to  us  all.  We  are 
proud  to  call  all  like  them  our  ancestors,  and  anything  which  we  can  do 
to  preserve  the  record  of  their  bold  and  daring  lives,  and  make  lasting 
the  place  where  they  lie,  will  ennoble  us,  and  we  shall  be  entitld  in  fu- 
ture years  to  the  respect  from  the  life  which  is  to  be.  We  owe  to  such 
as  they  the  blessings  comforts  and  privileges  which  we  so  much  enjoy 
now.  "A  great  nation  pays  reverence  to  its  ancestors"  and  a  small  sum 
would  reset  those  stones  and  build  a  permanent  wall  around  this  yard. 

A  tender  romance  hangs  around  this  spot,  of  a  young  bride  coming 
hei"e  to  break  the  stillness  of  the  forest  with  her  voice.  The  birds  were 
singing  then  their  love  songs  to  her  responsive  heart.  She  saw  the  for- 
est turn  from  green  to  gold  and  purple,  arid  then  the  long  winter  wil- 
derness of  glittering  trees.  When  the  birds  came  again  and  sang  their 
songs  she  gave  her  life  to  her  child,  and  one  June  day,  when  all  the  air 
was  sweet  with  the  scent  of  wild  flowers,  and  the  bell  notes  of  the  moun- 
tain brook,  floated  away  in  the  space  of  heaven,  they  made  her  grave 
near  the  rock  where  the  wild  columbine  grows,  and  it  was  the  first 
among  all  these  hills  ever  gilded  by  morning  sunrise. 

Those  who  hold  the  records  of  the  ecclesiastical  history  in  the  town, 
who  still  read  from  the  same  book,  the  leaves  worn  thin  by  hands  which 
held  it,  tenderly,  yet  with  a  more  unyielding  clasp  than  now,  is  it  any- 
thing to  them  that  the  stones  which  marked  the  resting  place  of  their 
first  disciple  of  Christ  lies  broken  on  the  ground,  the  dull  face  in  its 
rounded  arch  looking  stupidly  up  to  the  white  clouds  in  the  sky. 

Turning  to  Keene,  that  fair  city,  "The  Gem"  not  only  of  "the  Ashue- 
lot"  but  of  the  state  as  she  reclines  so  gracefully  on  her  crystal  meadows, 
tossing  back  with  some  degree  of  luxury  and  pride  the  sunbeams  from 
her  western  windows,  would  she  be  indifferent  of  those  who  helped  to  lay 
her  foundation?  Graceful  in  her  to  throw  around  this  spot  a  wall  of 
protection  and  again  erect  those  monuments  with  a  new  consecration; 
not  with  sobs,  as  then,  from  lips  grown  pale  with  long  suffering;  not 
with  tears,  as  then,  from  hearts  already  faint  with  anguish;  but  to  per- 
petuate nobleness,  patriotism  and  valor;  and  in  gratitude  that,  because 


Reminiscences  271 

of  those  who  lie  there — their  once  strong  arms  folded  over  their  breasts 
— thousands  have  since  lifted  their  hearts  with  joy  in  happy  homes 
beside  their  willowy  stream. 


REMINISCENCES  AND  ANECDOTES 

Formerly  there  was  a  sizable  boulder  on  top  of  Bald  hill.  In  1843  some  of 
the  young  men  thought  it  a  good  way  to  celebrate  the  4th  of  July  by  rolling  it 
down  the  hill.  Jonathan  Harvey,  Sr.  who  lived  near  the  foot  fearing  it  might 
hit  his  buildings  in  its  flight,  remonstrated,  but  his  pleadings  were  of  no 
avail.  So  he  hired  a  man  to  go  up  and  drill  and  split  the  stone  hoping  thus  to 
deter  the  boys  from  their  purpose.  But  the  boys  plans  wei'e  made  and  they 
went  up  with  levers  and  by  strenuous  labor  they  succeeded;  the  rock  rolled 
down  into  a  gutter  where  it  still  remains  while  the  twenty  or  more  partici- 
pants were  jubilant. 

About  1855  while  the  County  Supt.  of  schools  was  visiting  school  in  a 
neighboring  town  during  the  devotional  exercises,  a  lad  came  to  the  passage, 
"Is  there  no  balm  in  Gilead?  is  there  no  physician  there?"  He  read  it  thus: 
"Is  there  no  barn  in  Gilsum?  is  there  no  physic  there?" 

One  day  as  the  Parson  was  passing  a  house  a  demented  woman  excitedly 
cried  out,  "Mr.  Howe — Mr.  Howe  you  must  look  out,  I  saw  a  black-eyed-hawk 
after  your  Phebe  bird  the  other  day."  The  good  parson  chuckled  over  the 
joke.  Not  long  after  the  marriage  of  Phebe  Howe  and  Dr.  John  Petts  took 
place. 

One  town  meeting  day  Augustus  Johnson  got  up  and  said  "I  saw  a  man 
this  morning  who  said  if  I  would  vote  his  ticket,  he  would  take  me  to  the 
meeting  give  me  a  good  dinner  and  take  me  home  again  at  night.  I  told  that 
man  I  COULD  WALK,  and  the  first  two  letters  in  that  man's  name  is 
GEORGE  W.  HOLBROOK." 

The  teacher  at  the  south  end  school  sent  a  small  boy  out  one  day  to  get  a 
stick  for  a  whipping.  He  soon  returned  with  a  dry  mullen  stock  while  the 
teacher  having  a  fine  sense  of  humor  sent  him  to  his  seat  unpunished. 

A  man  from  Walpole  taught  the  village  school  during  the  winter  of  1856 
and  during  one  noon  hour  the  big  boys  filled  the  stove  full  of  wood  then  opened 
the  draft.  The  heat  set  the  woodwork  afire  and  was  not  put  out  until  an 
abundance  of  water  had  been  thrown  over  head  which  drenched  the  room 
while  the  scholars  were  excused  for  the  balance  of  that  day.  On  another  oc- 
casion the  boys  took  levers  and  jacked  the  south  side  of  the  school-house  up 
nearly  two  feet  where  it  remained  until  the  next  day. 

Some  of  the  rough  element  got  a  young  man  from  the  north-west  part  of 
the  town  out  one  night  on  some  pretext,  held  him  in  captivity  an  hour  or  so 
then  set  him  at  liberty.  As  the  lad  approached  his  home  he  bawled  out,  "Get 
up  father!;  rout  out  Hannah!;  tar'n-feather'd  all  over  by  the  Proctor  boys; 
h — Is  to  pay." 

The  old  militia  company  held  an  annual  muster  in  Surry  until  about  1848. 
The  organization  had  got   into  a  demoralized  condition   in  this  part  of  the 


272  History  of  Surry 

state  before  it  finally  ceased;  gambling,  vice  and  rowdyism  prevailed.  Many 
a  respected  citizen  had  "a  spree"  on  muster-day.    Old  Gus  at- 

tended and  got  dead  drunk  one  time,  so  four  men  got  a  lumber  wagon  and 
carted  him  home.  As  they  dumped  him  on  his  kitchen  floor  he  revived  and 
called  out,  "Sal,  Sal,  have  you  got  some  rum  to  treat  the  bearers?"  On  an- 
other occasion  an  industrious  citizen  who  never  let  a  nickel  slip  through  his 
fingers  returned  from  a  muster  in  a  dazed  condition.  His  wife  met  him  at  the 
door  and  exclaimed,  "Why,  Ed.  what  does  this  mean?"  "Oh  don't  mind,  it 
didn't  cost  a  cent,"  was  his  reply. 

The  following  item  appeared  in  Keene  Sentinel  July  1895.  "Excavations 
have  recently  been  made  on  Mine,  or  Surry  hill  near  the  George  L.  Britton 
place  to  see  what  could  be  found  of  certain  tools  which  tradition  says  were  left 
there  by  the  Spaniards  who  were  digging  for  gold  or  silver"  prior  to  the 
Revolutionary  war.  Several  tools  were  "found"? — an  axe,  gun,  trap,  sledge 
hammer,  drills,  etc.  all  in  a  rusty  condition,  and  all  of  which  had  been  placed 
there  only  a  few  days  previous  by  some  of  the  boys  as  a  joke  on  William  P. 
Mason. 

While  Holland  Stevens  was  running  the  mill  at  south  part  of  the  town 
some  of  the  school  boys  stumped  him  to  a  race  on  the  mill  pond.  Holland  took 
out  his  skates  and  with  considerable  difficulty  finally  reached  the  upper  end 
of  the  pond.  When  all  was  ready  the  boys  started,  Holland  followed  on  for  a 
few  rods,  then  went  by  the  lads  like  a  shot,  whirling,  he  skated  backward 
reaching  the  goal  in  the  lead  amid  the  chagrin  of  the  boys. 

About  1810  two  Surry  men  were  expecting  an  "heir,"  their  neighbor,  Ben- 
jamin Merrifield  promised  a  lamb  to  the  first  arrival.  The  first  received  the 
honor  of  being  named  "Benjamin  Merrifield  Britton"  while  the  latter  was 
christened  just,  "Benjamin  Britton."  When  Benjamin  Merrifield  Britton  was 
four  years  he  went  and  claimed  his  prize  and  from  that  time  until  he  was 
over  70  years  of  age  he  was  never  without  one  or  more  sheep.  A  most  re- 
markable coincident  the  men  died  the  same  day — Oct.  29,  1891. 

An  article  in  the  Town  Warrant  one  year  was  to  see  "what  action  the  town 
will  take  regarding  the  ice  trouble  on  Gilsum  road."  A  young  man  near  the 
village  placed  the  letter  "L"  before  the  word  "ice"  without  being  apprehended. 

Rev.  Perley  Howe  when  examining  school  one  day  asked  a  boy  if  he  could 
tell  him  how  far  he  had  got  in  his  reading.  "Yes  sir,  to  a  page  beyond  God." 
"Ah,  my  boy,  there  is  where  a  great  many  of  us  have  got." 

One  fall  old  uncle  David  and  his  son  Henry  attended  a  muster  and  like 
many  others  got  too  much  toddy.  On  arriving  home  at  dusk  David  fell  from 
the  wagon,  injuring  his  head.  Henry  ran  for  the  camphor  and  sopped  on  a 
lot  to  revive  his  father,  all  the  time  asking  if  he  was  much  hurt?  They  dis- 
covered upon  entering  the  house  that  the  bottle  contained  blue  ink.  This 
was  too  good,  and  one  of  the  girls  told  it  to  a  friend  and  soon  after  old  Dr. 
Hammond  of  Gilsum  is  said  to  have  written  a  poem  which  was  printed  in  a 
local  paper,  much  to  the  disgust  of  uncle  David. 

THE   WHIPPING    POST 

In  ye  olden  times  Surry,  like  most  other  towns,  had  her  whipping  post.  We 
are  told  that  it  stood  near  the  road,  No.  35.     One  dark  night  three  of  the 


Reminiscences  273 

young  men  of  the  town  took  the  Post  and  dropped  it  into  a  deep  well  that  was 
near.  It  was  some  time  before  its  hiding  place  was  discovered,  meanwhile 
the  culprits  had  repented  their  rash  act,  and  fearing  that  they  might  be  found 
out  and  have  to  pay  the  penalty  at  the  recovered  Post,  left  town  for  a  few 
months,  till  Surry  skies  were  once  more  sei'ene. 

TURTLE  AND  VEAL 

Samuel  Poole  did  not  like  and  would  not  eat  turtle,  and  so  Bill  Kingsbury 
having  caught  a  good  fat  one,  invited  Poole  down  to  help  him  out  on  a  job. 
The  "job"  took  the  forenoon  and  included  the  dinner.  Mr.  Turtle  was  cooked 
in  the  best  of  order,  and  Poole  took  hold  of  it  and  wanted  several  orders  filled. 
This  was  too  good  to  keep,  and  Brad  Britton,  an  old  hector,  took  much  de- 
light in  the  village  store  telling  how  Poole,  with  turtle  claws  hanging  out  of 
the  corners  of  his  mouth,  kept  calling  for  more  "veal." 

A  SPLASH  IN  A  PUDDLE 

A  citizen  fi'om  the  north  end  of  the  town  came  one  evening  to  the  village 
tavern  on  horseback,  and  after  passing  some  time  at  the  "bar"  was  ready  to 
return.  Some  of  the  big  boys  being  ready  to  assist  him,  got  his  horse  and 
saddle  ready,  while  he  was  taking  one  more  swig.  The  saddle  was  placed  in 
position,  but  not  buckled  on;  from  the  back  part  a  rope  some  15  feet  long  was 
attached  to  the  shed.  The  rider  was  helped  on  gently,  the  horse  was  given  a 
switch,  and — all  were  "off" — the  rider  landing  with  a  splash  in  a  large  mud 
puddle,  which  sobered  him  up  and  he  was  able  to  ride  home  without  further 
"assistance." 

THE  BIBLE  DISPUTE 

Holland  Stevens  once  when  talking  with  Jonathan  R.  Field  said  the  Bible 
was  a  contradictoiy  book;  there  is  a  passage  which  reads,  "If  sinners  entice 
thee,  consent  thou."  A  strong  dispute  resulted  in  the  Bible  being  brought 
forth,  from  which  Holland  read  the  verse  and  closed  the  book  with  a  bang. 
It  was  demanded  that  he  shoiv  the  passage  and  while  Holland  was  looking 
for  it,  said  in  an  injured  tone  that  he  was  not  used  to  having  his  veracity 
questions.  "There  it  is,  now  Jock  don't  read  too  far."  But  Jonathan  calmly 
and  vigorously  read  the  passage  through,  "If  sinners  entice  thee,  consent  thou 
not."  (Prov.  1:10).  Holland  still  triumphant  persisted  he  had  read  "too 
far."  In  religious  belief  he  was  a  Spiritualist,  and  is  said,  took  delight  ridi- 
culing certain  passages  in  the  Bible. 

WALKED  WHILE  ASLEEP 

One  evening  when  Benjamin  M.  Britton  was  about  12  years  of  age  his 
father  left  him  to  watch  his  coal-pit  for  a  short  time;  soon  after  he  fell  asleep 
and  walked  to  the  house  of  Seth  Carpenter  (at  No.  225).  Walked  into  the 
kitchen  and  took  a  chair  and  began  answering  questions  in  a  bewildered  man- 
ner. Finally  he  was  given  an  apple  and  when  he  took  the  first  bite  he  awoke 
and  much  to  his  surprise  found  he  had  traveled  nearly  half  a  mile. 


18 


274  History  of  Surry 

TOLL-GATE 

The  old  toll  gate  at  No.  98-99  until  after  1840  extended  over  the  highway 
in  which  a  gate  was  raised  and  lowered  at  will.  One  day  a  loaded  team  en- 
tered and  while  paying  the  toll  two  girls  entered  and  inquired  the  price  for 
"two  men  and  a  horse,"  upon  being  informed  one  with  a  twinkle  in  her  eye 
said,  "well  we  are  two  gals  and  an  old  mare" — "go-on-dolly!" 


CHAPTER  XV. 

CELLAR-HOLES,       HOUSE-SITES,      DWELLINGS,       MILLS,      SHOPS      AND 
PLACES  OF   HISTORICAL   INTEREST 

The  first  abode  of  most  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  town  was  the  typical 
log  cabin;  when  this  gave  place  to  a  more  comfortable  dwelling  it  frequently 
happened  that  the  first  site  was  obliterated  and  cannot  now  be  located.  That 
part  of  Surry  which  was  taken  from  Gilsum  was  "lotted"  and  "ranged";  a 
copy  of  the  survey  is  existent  and  the  land  records  in  Cheshire  county  Regis- 
ter of  Deeds  office  in  Keene  have  made  possible  fairly  accurate  statement  in 
regard  cellar-holes,  building-sites  and  occupants. 

With  the  Westmoreland  Leg,  part  of  Surry  we  are  less  fortunate.  The 
early  Proprietors  records  containing  the  lots  and  ranges  are  not  known  to 
exist  and  the  Range  Table  is  said  to  have  been  destroyed.  This  has  meant 
many  months'  work  at  the  Register  of  Deeds  office  to  even  attempt  to  learn 
the  early  settlers,  and  as  it  was  here  that  Peter  and  William  Hayward,  John 
Johnson,  Charles  Rice,  Joseph  Whitney,  William  Barron  and  possibly  others 
of  our  first  settlers  lived  it  is  with  keen  disappointment  that  we  are  unable  to 
discover  more  documentary  evidence  in  regard  to  this  part  of  the  town. 

This  chapter  takes  up  present  and  former  residences,  house  sites,  mills, 
shops  and  historical  data.  So  far  as  known  every  dwelling  and  house  site, 
except  wood  choppers'  camps,  has  been  mentioned. 

The  numbers  refer  to  the  map  which  accompanies  this  volume,  an  enlarge- 
ment from  Smith  &  Morley's  map  of  Cheshire  County,  1858,  with  many  addi- 
tions. This  has  been  made  especially  for  this  work  and  while  not  accurate  in 
every  detail,  we  believe  it  sufficient  for  all  practical  purposes.  The  map  alone 
representing  much  labor  and  research,  is  by  Mr.  Samuel  Wadsworth  and  the 
author;  though  not  absolutely  necessary  we  believe  it  merits  approval  and  will 
add  greatly  to  the  value  of  the  history. 

ABBREVIATIONS 

L.=lot.  Sull  His. = Sullivan  History. 

R.=range.  n  f  r.=no  further  record. 

S.=Surry,  q  v.=which  see. 

£=English  pound.  1842/3=about  that  time. 

R.  of  D.=Register  of  Deeds.  1842-48=from  1842  until  1848. 

G.  H,=Gilsum  History.  ?=exact  date  unknown. 


RESIDENCES 

Peter  Hayward  settled  on  this  farm  between  1753  and  1762;  he  built  his 
cabin  (near  No.  1^/^  on  map)  in  which  he  lived  until  about  1764  when 
he  erected  about  20  rods  nearer  Keene  line  the  substantial  dwelling  now 
standing  at  No.  1,  and  occupied  by  Samuel  L.  Newton.  The  house  is 
about  40  feet  square,  has  a  massive  chimney  and  contains  seven  fire- 


276 


History  of  Surry 


Residences  277 

places.  Mr.  Hay  ward  opened  a  tavern  here  in  1765.  Sept.  11,  1780  he 
sold  his  364  acre  farm  and  buildings  to  his  "living  son"  Nathan  Hay- 
ward  who  deeded  the  property  back  within  a  few  years,  then  Peter  con- 
veyed the  place  to  his  sons,  Elias  and  Calvin.  Nov.  3,  1798  Calvin  bought 
out  his  brother's  interest  and  opened  a  tavern  here,  1804.  After  Cal- 
vin's d.  his  son  Peter  took  over  the  property  and  lived  here  until  about 
1854,  when  he  and  Roxana,  his  wife,  sold  to  Ephraim  F.  Towns  of  Keene. 
Jonathan  R.  Field  was  here  from  Apr.  1,  1855  until  1858  at  which  time 
the  property  contained  225  acres  and  sold  for  $3500.00.  William  T. 
Pierce  came  1858  and  his  heirs  sold  1863  to  Lewis  Newton.  The  latter 
sold  to  his  son,  Ephraim  B.  Newton,  Oct.  18,  1872  and  Jan.  1,  1900  the 
present  owner,  Samuel  L.  Newton,  bought  the  farm.  There  was  a  toll- 
gate  near  here  about  1800  and  a  cider  mill  years  ago. 

John  Levitt  sold  L.  2;  R.  1  No.  43  under  the  mountain  to  Woolston  Brock- 
way,  Brockway  to  Nat'l  Peck,  1768.  Peck  to  Sam'l  McCurdy  1772,  who 
sold  to  James  McCurdy  1787,  who  settled  here,  about  1788.  He  built  a 
log  dwelling  where  a  cider  mill  later  was  erected  (see  C.  M.  map).  In 
1806  William  Thompson  lived  here,  "and  the  house  had  the  name  of  be- 
ing haunted.  It  was,  however,  discovered  to  be  only  through  the  tricks  of 
some  of  his  roguish  boys." — G.  H.  In  1814,  Robert  and  Thomas  Austin 
purchased  the  property  and  lived  in  the  log  house  while  erecting  a  large 
substantial  dwelling  a  few  rods  to  the  south  in  1816.  This  house  which 
stood  until  1876  (?)  was  one  story,  stood  facing  the  west  and  contained 
a  huge  stone  chimney,  with  fireplace.  Mr.  Austin  by  opening  doors 
could  drive  his  oxen  and  sled  of  wood  into  the  kitchen,  roll  a  log  into 
the  fireplace  and  go  out  at  the  other  end.  About  1830  he  reduced  and 
made  the  chimney  "up-to-date"  so  as  to  take  a  log  only  four  foot  long, 
but  as  time  went  on,  1840  (?),  he  removed  and  rebuilt  a  modern  chim- 
ney and  put  in  a  cook  stove.  The  change  to  modernism  was  not  wholly 
satisfactory;  Mr.  Austin  often  said,  "I  am  tired  and  sick  of  cutting  up 
trundle  bed  wood"  and  Mrs.  Austin,  so  familiar  with  the  old  crane  hook 
and  skillet  said  the  "stove  could  not  and  would  not  work."  There  is 
little  doubt  but  their  discomforts  were  shared  by  most  others  at  one 
time  or  other.  The  Austins  built  a  cider  mill  in  the  bank  which  was  in 
use  till  1845  (?),  the  site  of  which  can  still  be  seen,  and  a  few  feet 
east  of  the  house  was  the  old  well,  still  seen,  where  dangled  for  many 
years  the  "old  oaken  bucket."  The  "boys  bed-room"  was  built  in  the 
space  taken  by  the  old  big  chimney.  The  brothers  both  lived  here  sev- 
eral years,  when  Robert  removed  to  Walpole  and  finally  to  Gilsum. 
Thomas  remained  till  1853  when  he  went  to  No.  146,  thence  to  Keene 
where  he  died.  Jonathan  Mansfield  here,  1853-Apr.  1854.  Elias  H. 
Heath,  a  wood  chopper,  about  one  year,  and  possibly  some  other  chop- 
pers for  short  periods,  when  the  buildings  went  to  decay  and  the  house 
was  torn  down  and  removed  by  J.  D.  and  H.  H.  Carter  about  1876. 

Tradition  says  there  was  an  old  brick  yard  here,  now  marked  by  a  sag 
in  the  ground,  filled  by  brushwood.  When  and  by  whom  brick  were 
made  is  unknown,  nor  have  we  knowledge  of  brick  being  made  in  any 
other  place  in  town,  unless  possibly  at  the  old  "clay-pit"  in  the  bank 
east  of  No.  14;  see  map.     With  the  number  of  brick  used  in  chimneys 


278  History  of  Surry 

prior  to  1825,  it  certainly  would  appear  that  brick-yards  were  in  this 
vicinity  and  did  a  flourishing  business. 

4.  Holland  Stevens  removed  the  top  story  of  his  mill    (No.  5)    and  built  a 

small  one-story  dwelling  here  about  18G2.  Since  that  time  extensive 
repairs  have  been  made.  Many  have  owned  and  occupied  this  place, 
some  of  whom  were:  Charles  A.  Britton,  1862;  John  Lang.  Britton, 
1863;  Raymond  Brockway,  1867-72;  Walter  R,  Scripture,  1872-74.  John 
H.  Rogers  bought  property  Dec.  13,  1874  and  owned  or  lived  here  some 
17  years.  He  built  the  top  story.  Freeman  R.  Huntley,  Lewis  Newton, 
Noah  Allen  (1884  and  others  here.  Ernest  W.  Carpenter,  1890  (?); 
William  H.  Wright,  1895;  Henry  A.  Weatherhead,  Clarence  E.  Knapp, 
Weston  E.  Wilbur,  1911-'18;  John  P.  Sweeney  till  Apr.  1921;  a  Mr. 
Dodge  and  Ernest  W.  Carpenter  again  Apr.  1922.  For  about  60  years 
this  place  was  connected  with  the  mill  property.  Augustus  M.  Cole 
lived  here  after  the  fire  at  No.  11,  until  Sept.  1,  1923. 

5.  South  saw-mill.     William  Hayward  is  believed  to  have  built  the  first  mill 

on  this  spot,  which  was  standing  at  the  time  of  his  death,  1785,  when  it 
fell  to  his  widow,  Sarah  and  son,  Sarel.  In  1801,  Sarel  sold  to  Maj. 
Nathan  Hayward  who  took  his  son  Nathan,  Jr.,  into  partnership  in  1817. 
Apr.  6,  1821,  Eliphaz  Field  bought  property  and  sold  to  Holland  Stevens, 
Dec.  3,  1845,  "land  and  an  old  saw  mill"  for  $125.00.  People  now  living 
remember  the  mill  at  that  time;  one  story  high,  old  and  in  a  dilapidated 
condition,  though  probably  the  second,  if  not  the  third  mill  on  that  site. 
Holland  soon  built  a  new  mill,  two  story  high,  on  the  top  floor  was  a 
small  tenement  where  he  lived  and  kept  "bachelor's  hall."  He  was  a 
natural  born  mechanic  and  each  winter  his  mill-yard  was  well  stocked 
with  logs  which  kept  the  old  "up-and-down-saw"  busy  during  the  spring 
months.  A  wooden  water  wheel  of  the  "under-shot"  type  furnished 
power  for  both  the  log  saw,  bench-saws,  etc.  Holland  leased  the  prop- 
erty to  the  Day  Brothers,  Samuel  and  Danforth,  about  1855,  one  lived 
in  the  mill  and  the  other  at  No.  7.  A  Mr.  Butterfield,  also  rented  the 
property  about  that  time,  and  perhaps  there  were  others.  The  Days 
did  a  good  business,  carriage  building  and  wood-work;  one  contract 
was  building  an  omnibus  for  a  liveryman  in  Keene.  This  took  place  on 
the  top  story  in  the  front  end  of  the  mill  and  in  order  to  remove  the 
body  when  finished,  they  took  out  one  side  of  the  mill.  Holland  sold  Oct. 
9,  1867,  to  Raymond  Brockway  who  sold  to  Walter  R.  Scripture,  Mar. 
7,  1872.  Dec.  13,  1874,  John  H.  Rogers  bought  property  and  kept  it  till 
he  sold  to  Ernest  W.  Carpenter,  Mar.  10,  1891.  Ernest  soon  tore  the 
mill  down  which  Holland  erected  1846,  and  on  its  site  built  a  new  one 
which  stood  till  Dec.  1920  when  this  was  taken  down  and  the  lumber 
removed  to  Keene.  Frank  D.  W.  Carpenter  took  a  half  interest  in  this 
mill,  1896,  and  in  1900  they  sold  to  Henry  A.  Weatherhead  who  put  in 
an  iron  water  wheel,  a  portable  grist  mill,  and  did  a  small  business 
sawing  and  grinding,  until  he  sold  out,  1909,  after  which  the  mill  stood 
idle.  In  1909,  Willard  E.  Wilbur  purchased  mill  property  and  pond 
and  annexed  same  to  his  summer  home,  No.  7. 

6.  In  1882,  Frank  E.  Ellis  built  the  cider  mill  which  is  still  standing.     The 

mill  was  in  operation  each  year  until  1918;  a  horse  was  used  on  a  tread 
mill  to  furnish  power  for  grinding  the  apples. 


Residences  279 

7.  The  first  building  erected  here  was  by  Jonathan  R.  Field,  about  1840;  it 

was  a  small  one  story  house  painted  I'ed,  and  since  1860  extensive  re- 
pairs and  additions  have  been  made  by  the  various  owners.  Mr,  Field 
lived  here  and  assisted  his  father  in  his  old  age  who  lived  at  No.  8. 
Henry  T.  Ellis  came  here  1854  (?)  and  later  built  the  2d  story.  Dan- 
forth  Day  lived  here  a  short  time;  others  were:  Hiram  P.  Bigelow, 
Mason  A.  Carpenter,  Frank  E.  Ellis  several  years  and  made  repairs; 
Willard  Shaw,  M.  D.  Carpenter,  Francis  F.  Field,  Lewis  Dwight  Darl- 
ing, David  Y.  Kenion,  who  met  death  by  an  accident  in  the  yard; 
Charles  S.  Payne  who  sold  to  Willard  E.  Wilbur,  the  present  owner, 
Nov.  8,  1909,  since  occupied  as  a  summer  home. 

8.  William  Hayward  settled  here  prior  to  1763;  Feb.  14,  1764,  he  exchanged 

some  of  his  land  with  Peter  Hayward.  He  died,  1785,  in  the  49th  year 
of  his  age  at  which  time  he  left  320  acres  of  land;  a  dwelling  house, 
barn,  saw  mill,  new  cider  mill  and  an  orchard.  Value  £713-12s.  The 
estate  was  divided  between  his  heirs;  his  widow,  Sarah  and  son  Sarel 
appear  to  have  received  the  two  mills,  a  portion  of  the  farm  and  the 
house  was  divided  with  other  children.  The  present  house  he  erected 
prior  to  1785,  but  just  when  no  one  probably  will  ever  know.  William 
was  living  here  when  the  Great  road  was  surveyed,  1772,  but  possibly  in 
an  earlier  dwelling;  doubtless  Mr,  Ellis'  house  was  built  between  1770 
and  1780.  Major  Nathan  Hayward  bought  the  property  Dec.  15,  1801; 
in  1816  he  sold  an  interest  to  his  son,  Nathan,  Jr.  Apr.  6,  1821,  Eliphaz 
Field  bought  the  property  and  moved  here  from  No.  102  and  after  his 
death,  his  son-in-law,  Henry  T.  Ellis  owned  the  farm  and  after  his 
death  in  1895  it  fell  to  his  son,  Frank  E.  Ellis,  the  present  owner.  When 
built,  the  front  of  the  house  was  on  the  north  side,  facing  the  Great 
road  and  the  old  "front  door"  still  remains.  The  new  road  was  built 
between  Mr.  Ellis'  house  and  barn  and  Nigger  hollow,  1806,  Henry  T. 
Ellis  built  the  present  ell,  1879  (?),  in  the  top  story  is  a  hall  formerly 
used  for  dances.  Two  or  three  rods  south  of  the  ell  where  two  maple 
trees  now  stand  was  where  the  "new  cider  mill"  stood,  until  about  1840. 

9.  Between  F.  E.  Ellis'  barn  and  the  Wilbur  Road  is  a  large  rock,  near  which 

stood  a  school  house  between  1798  and  1834/35.  From  some  of  the 
early  records,  it  appears  a  school  house  stood  on  or  near  this  spot  which 
was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1797/98.  The  late  William  H.  Woodward  at- 
tended school  here  about  1834. 

10.  A  new  school  house,  21  x  26  ft.  was  erected  here,  1835,  Edmund  Wood- 

ward gave  the  land  so  long  as  used  for  school  purposes.  This  building 
was  in  use  until  about  1890,  after  which  it  was  unoccupied.  March, 
1915,  the  town  sold  the  old  building  at  public  auction  and  Frank  E. 
Ellis  bid  it  off  for  $40.00,  soon  after  moving  it  near  his  barn  for  a  car- 
riage house  where  it  now  stands. 

11.  Edmund  Woodward  built  this  house,  1849,  using  material  from  his  old 

house.  No.  12.  Christopher  Fuller  of  Westmoreland  was  boss-carpen- 
ter; the  barns  are  understood  to  have  been  built  by  the  McCurdy's. 
Mr.  Woodward  lived  here  till  his  death,  1892,  caused  by  a  fall.  Since 
that  time  this  farm  has  been  in  a  whirlwind  of  ownership.     Merrill  D. 


280 


History  of  Surry 


12. 


&  Bertha  A.  Carpenter,  18!)8;  Albert  E.  Flagg  lived  here;  Rodney  E. 
Fisher;  Hermon  Anderson,  1904;  Charles  P.  Jefts;  John  A.  Wheeler, 
1915;  Amos  F.  Brown,  1917-18;  Henry  L.  Phillips,  1918-20;  John  But- 
ler, 1921;  William  S.  Morine  April  1921-1922.  Augustus  M.  Cole  and 
wife  also  lived  with  Mr.  Morine.  The  buildings  were  destroyed  by  fire 
Apr.  1,  1923. 

John  Johnson  settled  here  about  1762;  erected  a  cabin,  then  Jonathan 
Parkhurst -bought  this  property  of  Johnson,  Apr.  24,  1764,  and  probably 
built  the  house  later  known  as  the  McCurdy  tavern.  Parkhurst  sold 
104  acres,  1768,  to  Nathaniel  Peck.  Peck  sold  to  Samuel  McCurdy  of 
Lyme,  Conn.,  May  2,  1772.  In  1786,  he  sold  to  his  son  John  McCurdy 
who  opened  a  tavern.     In  1788.  a  Proprietors  meeting  was  held  at  the 


South   School  House.     No.   10. 


13. 


house  of  Lieut.  John  McCurdy,  innkeeper.  Lieut.  John  was  an  ener- 
getic man,  in  1790  he  opened  a  store  here — the  first  in  town,  so  far  as 
known;  in  1794  he  added  a  blacksmith  shop,  and  for  a  few  years  did  a 
thriving  business.  In  1812,  John  sold  to  Richard  McCurdy,  and  he  sold 
to  Lemuel  Page  in  1817  and  after  his  death,  Jeremiah  Robbins  and 
Isaiah  Robbins  owned  the  property  till  Mar.  1828,  when  William  Lam- 
son,  Jr.  of  Keene  got  hold  of  the  farm,  and  he  sold  the  same  year  to 
Edmund  Woodward  who  moved  here  Apr.  1,  1829.  Mr.  W.  spent  over 
63  years  on  this  farm,  living  in  this  house  and  his  new  one,  No.  11.  The 
site  of  this  house  is  about  three  rods  west  of  the  present  dwelling,  the 
old  highway  passing  between  them.  Tradition  says  it  was  the  first 
two  story  dwelling  erected  in  town;  two  stories  on  the  east  side  and  only 
one  on  the  rear;  in  1835,  it  was  an  old  weatherbeaten  building  formerly 
painted  red.  Where  the  present  house  and  shed  now  stand,  formerly 
stood  a  building  200  feet  long,  open  at  both  ends  and  used  as  a  drive- 
way during  stage  coach  days.     This  was  removed,  1835. 

Samuel   McCurdy  and  his  wife  lived  here  in  their  old  age — both  died, 
1808.     There  was  only  a  few  acres  of  land,  and  possibly  never  long  sep- 


Residences  281 

arated  from  the  home  place — No.  11.  The  house  was  torn  down  by  Mr. 
Woodward  about  1873.  Some  of  the  numerous  tenants  here,  were: 
George  Baxter,  1835  (?);  Harvey  Kurd;  Philemon  Wright;  Raymond 
Brockway  in  1868  (?);  Barney  Wilbur,  1866;  a  Mr.  Robbins;  Mrs. 
Helen  (Purcell)  Adams  and  others.  This  was  probably  where  Edmund 
Wetherbee  was  living,  1812.  The  house  was  one-story  and  stood  on  the 
knoll,  6  or  8  rods  west  of  present  road,  but  east  of  the  old  "Great  road." 

14.  Mar.  6,  1901,  Fred  B.  Marshall  bought  of  M.  D.  Carpenter  a  few  acres 

of  land  and  began  erecting  a  house  and  blacksmith  shop  here,  but  re- 
moved before  either  were  finished.  1903,  George  E.  Crosby  bought 
property  and  finished  the  buildings;  sold  1922,  to  John  Hensler.  Hiram 
F.  Newell  rented,  1920,  and  Dr.  William  H.  Sumner  of  Keene  in  1921. 

15.  Blacksmith  shop  built  1902  by  Marshall  has  been  moved;  is  now  the  barn 

on  this  place.  Near  this  place  was  the  old  "Dry  bridge"  on  the  highway, 
built  first  of  plank,  but  filled  in  by  Edmund  Wetherbee  in  1812. 

16.  John  Johnson  was  "of  Westmoreland"  and  on  Jan.  26,  1762,  he  sold  this 

land,  104  acres,  to  William  Barron  and  Barron  (erroneously  called 
"Barnes")  settled  here  soon  after.  The  old  house  stood  in  the  yard, 
some  4  rods  south  of  the  present  dwelling,  was  in  use  until  1848,  when 
H.  T.  Ellis  built  the  one  now  standing.  Across  the  road  west  of  this 
house  Mr.  Barron  was  at  work  building  a  wall  Apr.  1775,  when  the  mes- 
senger from  Keene  notified  him  of  the  Concord  fight.  William  and  Wil- 
liam, Jr.,  owned  the  place  (except  in  1791,  when  Levi  Blodgett  had  a 
half  interest),  until  Dec.  24,  1799,  when  Nathan  Estabrook  purchased 
the  same.  1805  Nathan  sold  to  John  Thayer,  a  "housewright"  who  kept 
tavern  here,  1810,  and  he  sold  1813  to  Esq.  David  Shaw  of  Alstead. 
Apr.  30,  1822,  David  sold  to  Hon.  James  Wilson  of  Keene  100  acres  at 
$2000.00.  Gen.  Wilson  rented  the  farm  and  sold  to  Henry  T.  Ellis,  1841. 
He  lived  here  till  1854  then  removed  to  No.  7.  Jonathan  R.  Field  came 
soon  after  and  lived  here  until  death,  1882,  then  Francis  F.  Field  a  few 
years,  then  Frank  E.  Nesmith.  Hon.  A.  T.  Batchelder  of  Keene  bought 
property  about  1895/'00,  raised  the  house  up  making  it  two  story.  This 
place  was  added  to  No.  23  which  he  had  owned  over  20  years.  After 
his  death,  Jasper  N.  Keller  bought  property  Jan.  1,  1904  and  that  fam- 
ily have  occupied  it  each  season  to  the  present  (1922).  The  oi  i  house 
was  used  as  a  carriage  house  for  a  number  of  years.  Across  the  road 
west  of  the  present  dwelling  can  still  be  seen  the  site  of  Mr.  Ellis'  cider 
mill.  This  mill  was  known  as  the  "Grater  type,"  a  horse  being  used  on 
a  sweep,  and  when  in  operation  it  was  necessary  to  keep  the  horse  on  the 
trot.  The  mill  was  in  use  till  about  1875  and  went  to  decay  and  disap- 
peared.    A  grass  fire  burned  the  barns  on  this  place,  Apr.  15,  1905. 

17.  This  has  been  known  as  the  "Willard  Smith  place"  since  1830.  The  old 
two  story  house  stood  side  to  the  road,  was  town  down  1842/43,  and  re- 
built at  No.  39,  by  Rev.  Elihu  Smith.  Who  first  settled  here  and  when, 
has  not  been  determined  to  our  satisfaction  yet  a  special  search  has  been 
made  in  the  R.  of  D.  We  believe  this  farm  has  been  joined  to  No.  16, 
separated  and  rejoined  by  Gen.  Wilson  prior  to  1830.  The  line  of  own- 
ership runs  possibly  as  follows: 


282  History  of  Surry 

William  Barron  or  his  son  William,  Jr.,  sold  to  Maj.  Nathan  Hayward. 
The  major  sold  to  Caleb  Washburn  June  9,  1788.  Mar.  1790,  James  Mc- 
Curdy  bought  property,  moving  here  from  No.  2.  James  sold  1812  to 
Richard  McCurdy  of  Lyme,  Conn.,  who  probably  never  came  here  to 
live.  Jan.  22,  1818,  Willard  Smith  bought  farm,  "where  James  Mc- 
Curdy now  lives."  1823,  Smith  mortgaged  the  farm  to  Hon.  James 
(afterwards  General)  Wilson,  and  after  Smith  died,  1825,  Wilson  took 
over  the  property  which  was  joined  to  No.  16,  as  stated  above.  An  adv. 
in  Keene  Sentinel  Mar.  16,  1826,  states  it  contained  105  acres,  good 
buildings,  a  fine  orchard,  a  bridge  over  Ashuelot  river  and  was  situated 
1%  mile  south  of  Surry  meeting-house.  Thomas  Stacy  lived  here,  1833- 
35. 

18.  Since  the  death  of  Dinah  Armstrong  in  1812,  this  rock,  near  the  highway 

has  been  known  as  DINAH'S  ROCK. 

19.  On  a  small  level  plot  of  land  some  six  rods  west  of  the  present  highway 

was  a  cellar  hole  before  1850  but  the  land  has  been  tilled  for  years  and 
the  site  long  since  obliterated.  Probably  no  one  has  lived  here  for  over 
100  years.  The  building  stood  near  the  first  road  up  Surry  valley, 
though  that  at  its  best  was  only  a  well  trod  bridle  path  as  wagons  did 
not  arrive  in  town  to  any  extent  until  after  1790.  Thomas  Darte  pos- 
sibly lived  here,  as  he  sold  this  land,  or  a  tract  very  near  to  Rev.  David 
Darling,  Jan.  30,  1781. 

20.  William  Kingsbury  built  a  cider  mill  on  this  spot  about  1858  which  was 

in  use  around  30  years;  removed  1890  (?).  "Kingsbury  hill"  was  named 
for  him — the  old  fox  hunter, 

21.  William  Kingsbury  bought  60  acres  of  land  of  his  brother  Josiah,  1854 

(?)  (all  that  part  of  his  home  farm  lying  west  of  the  highway)  and 
soon  erected  the  buildings  here,  with  later  additions.  He  and  his  wife 
both  died  here,  then  Cyrus  Kingsbury  their  adopted  son  took  over  the 
property.  1900,  Cyrus  sold  to  Hon.  A.  T.  Batchelder,  since  which  time 
to  the  present  it  has  been  the  property  in  joint  with  No.  16,  17,  18,  19, 
20,  22  and  23.  Edmunds,  Murray,  Green  and  probably  others  have  lived 
here. 

22.  Tradition  says  a  dwelling  stood  here;  was  torn  down  and  the  timber  used 

to  build  the  2nd  story  at  No.  23  when  Dr.  Monroe  began  keeping  tavern 
in  1799.  It  stood  midway  between  No.  21  and  a  trout  pond  made  within 
20  years — see  map.  Benjamin  Whitney  lived  at  or  near  this  spot  and 
had  a  blacksmith  shop,  in  1770,  and  Joseph  Whitney  was  in  town  at  a 
still  earlier  date.  As  this  land  was  a  part  of  Dr.  Monroe's  homestead 
for  many  years,  probably  some  of  the  Monroe  family  lived  here  prior  to 
1800. 

23.  Rev.  David  Darling,  1781,  was  the  first,  so  far  as  discovered,  to  settle 

here.  Feb.  16,  1790,  he  sold  this  place  to  Dr.  Philip  Monroe  who  moved 
here  from  No.  72  (?).  Mr.  Darling  removed  to  No.  247  in  edge  of 
Keene.  The  old  house  was  a  large  one  story  affair  and  the  doctor  added 
a  2nd  story  in  1799  and  soon  opened  a  tavern.  Two  families  fi'equently 
occupied  the  house  at  a  time  until  1874  when  it  was  moved  easterly  6  or 


Residences  283 

8  rods  where  it  served  as  a  shop  and  store  house  till  it  went  up  in  smoke, 
1915.  The  doctor  lived  here  until  death,  then  his  son  Nahum  P.  Monroe 
owned  the  place  for  several  years,  leasing  it  to  Capt.  Luther  Holbrook, 
1837,  Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr.  and  perhaps  others.  Nov.  9,  1837,  Josiah 
Kingsbury  bought  the  property  and  lived  here  till  he  sold  to  Luther  K. 
Wright  in  1866.  1869,  Wright  sold  to  Mrs.  Betsey  C.  and  Elbridge  W. 
Britton,  who  in  turn  sold  1874  to  Dr.  Ira  W.  Russell  of  Keene  who  pur- 
chased for  his  son  Frank  A.  Russell.  Dr.  R.  after  moving  the  old  house 
built  a  new  two  story  one  on  the  old  site  and  built  a  large  new  barn, 
containing  two  floors  above  basement.  1883  (?)  Alfred  T.  Batchelder 
of  Keene  bought  this  farm  and  employed  a  foreman  and  hired  help,  ex- 
pending a  small  fortune  erecting  new  buildings,  stables  for  trotting 
stock,  a  race  track  on  the  plane  north  of  No.  25  and  at  the  time  of  his 
death  this  was  by  far  the  most  expensive  set  of  buildings  in  town.  After 
his  death,  Jasper  N.  Keller  bought  the  whole  property — ^four  old  farms 
— all  in  one  large  estate,  which  now,  Dec.  1922,  is  owned  by  the  Keller 
heirs. 

On  Sunday  afternoon,  June  6,  1915,  a  fire  started  in  the  horse-barn, 
which  stood  north  of  the  house,  destroyed  all  the  buildings  on  this  prop- 
erty; no  permanent  structure  has  replaced  them.  A  partial  list  of  those 
who  occupied  the  old  and  new  houses  is:  Edward  R.  Carter  of  West- 
minster, Mass.,  1840  (?);  Silas  Whitcomb,  1846;  William  Rahn,  1854 
(?);  George  H.  Joslin,  1874;  Mason  A.  Carpenter,  1885;  and  in  more 
recent  years,  Mr.  Lawrence,  Bert  Bryer,  John  Britton,  Wellington  Cur- 
tis and  Thomas  Edmunds.  William  Martin  ran  the  farm  several  years 
for  Mr.  Batchelder. 

24.  John  Fowle  of  Marblehead,  Mass.,  owned  this  land  and  sold  to  Josiah 
Willard.  Apr.  22,  1760,  Willard  sold  to  Charles  Rice— 104  acres.  Rice 
settled  on  the  farm,  but  whether  there  were  any  one  earlier  than  he,  is 
unknown.  In  1770  Rice  sold  to  Jonathan  Smith,  Sr.  In  1773  Smith  sold 
to  his  son  Jonathan,  Jr.,  who  opened  a  tavern  here  as  early  as  1793. 
May  9,  1809,  Col.  Jonathan  Smith,  Jr.  sold  to  William  Bond  who  con- 
tinued business.  1814  Bond  sold  to  William  Baxter,  180  acres.  1817 
James  Ingalls  of  Watertown,  N.  Y.,  bought  property.  He  sold  to  Isaiah 
Wilder  1821;  Wilder  to  George  Crehore  Nov.  24,  1826,  who  lived  here 
over  37  years.  Mr.  Crehore  was  a  great  worker,  an  industrious  and 
much  respected  citizen.  He  built  the  present  house,  1846;  a  large  barn 
in  1856  which  was  destroyed  by  lightning,  Aug.  9,  1872;  ditched  the 
Beaver  swamp  south  of  the  Wright  Grove  and  made  other  improvements. 
Amos  H.  Carter  bought  farm  1864;  and  sold  half  interest  to  his  son 
James  D.  in  1888.  After  the  death  of  James  in  1900  it  fell  to  his  son 
Selwin  I.  who  kept  it  about  4  years  and  sold  to  Herbert  R.  Crane.  Crane 
sold  to  Hiram  F.  Newell  Sept.  18,  1906  who  lived  here  till  about  1920 
when  he  sold  to  Earl  R.  and  Merrill  D.  Carpenter,  both  of  whom  have  oc- 
cupied it  and  a  place  in  Keene  to  date — Dec.  1922.  The  old  house  stood 
directly  in  front  of  the  present  one  and  quite  near  the  highway — a  low 
one  story  affair,  without  paint,  end  to  the  east.  Mr.  Crehore  moved  it 
in  back  of  his  new  house  (1847)  for  a  shop  and  where  it  stood  until 
torn  down  by  H.  R.  Crane,  1904/5.  Amos  H.  Carter  and  sons  built  the 
present  upper  barn  after  the  fire,  in  1872.    Tradition  says  Col.  Jonathan 


284  History  of  Surry 

Smith  shot  a  treacherous  Indian  near  his  buildings  soon  after  the  Rev. 
war  and  buried  him  near  Smith's  brook  above  the  barn. 

25.  A  cellar  hole  marks  the  site  of  this  house;  by  whom  and  when  occupied 

is  not  positively  known.  Tradition  says  a  negro  family  once  lived  here. 
It  is  in  the  field  and  not  far  from  the  brink  of  the  sand  bank  which  is 
constantly  washing  away.  Evidently  this  was  a  part  of  the  farm  No. 
24  and  occupied  by  a  transient  class. 

26.  Nothing  now  marks  the  site  of  this  house,  torn  down  by  George  Crehore 

about  1858.  It  was  an  old  wood-color,  small,  low  one  story  building, 
standing  side  toward  the  road,  containing  a  great  chimney  made  of  ir- 
regular brick  laid  in  a  clay  mortar.  This  is  probably  the  six  acres  of 
land  Charles  Rice  sold  to  Jonathan  Smith,  Sr.  in  1770.  Smith  sold  the 
same  year  to  his  son  Jonathan,  Jr.,  who  is  supposed  to  have  built  on 
this  spot.  David  Shaw,  Esq.  owned  the  place  and  sold  to  Otis  Daggett, 
the  village  blacksmith,  in  1825  at  which  time  a  blacksmith  shop  stood  on 
the  place.  Asa  Britton  was  living  on  the  place  about  that  time.  Sept. 
12,1828,  Asahel  and  Philander  Stone  bought  as  a  home  for  their  aged 
parents  and  here  they  both  passed  away.  After  William  Kingsbury 
married  Huldah  Stone  they  came  here  to  live  and  he  worked  at  his 
trade  as  a  shoemaker.  After  death  of  Mr.  S.  they  removed  to  No.  21. 
Mrs.  Helen  (Purcell)  Adams  was  the  last  to  occupy  the  house  in 
1853/54.  In  1853  Mr.  Crehore  bought  the  place  and  it  has  since  been  a 
part  of  that  farm.  Warren  W.  Stone  set  out  the  large  tamarack  tree 
still  standing  near  the  highway. 

27.  This  place  containing  but  a  few  acres  was  severed  from  No.  24  prior  to 

1795.  The  house  now  standing  at  No.  28  stood  on  this  spot — down  the 
hill  nearer  the  water — until  about  1849  when  it  was  moved  by  Willard 
Britt.  Jonathan  Carpenter  sold  in  1795  to  Daniel  Hayward  a  black- 
smith. Moses  Hill  lived  here,  1822.  Charles  Daniels,  1830-32;  Abel 
Wilder  of  Keene  owned  property  1835;  Mrs.  Norton  and  Charles  Sly- 
field  here  about  1836;  Elijah  Norris,  blacksmith,  1841-43;  Augustus 
Kingsbury,  1844;  Mrs.  Seth  (Carpenter)  Griswold  and  her  husband, 
1846;  Willard  Britt,  1848.  The  barn  which  stood  near  this  house  was 
set  fire  and  burned  to  the  ground  one  Sunday  about  1844,  by  Willard 
Kingsbury  when  about  5  years  of  age.     Chandler  Wilbur  here  1848? 

28.  As  previously  stated,  Willard  Britt  moved  this  house  from  No.  27.   Those 

here  since  1850:  John  A.  Cushing;  Davis  Carpenter;  William  Gage; 
Benjamin  V.  Smith;  Miss  Catharine  B.  Upham  of  Boston,  as  a  summer 
home.  She  named  it  "The  Cones."  Edward  H.  Wright  and  his  wife  sold 
in  Aug.  1912  to  Prof.  Francis  L.  Bain  of  Cambridge,  Mass.,  as  his 
summer  home. 

29.  Nothing  now  marks  the  site  of  a  blacksmith  shop  which  stood  near  the 

north-east  corner  of  this  house  lot  until  about  1843.  Probably  run  by 
Daniel  Hayward,  1796  (?)  and  Elijah  Norris  about  1841. 

30.  The  early  history  of  this  place  is  obscure;   we  give  a  possible  line  of 

ownership.  Col.  Josiah  Willard  to  Peter  Hayward.  Peter  Hayward  to 
Sylvester   Hayward   Sept.   16,   1779.     Sylvester  to  Jonathan   Carpenter 


Residences  285 

1789.  Samuel  Hunt  to  Amasa  Carpenter,  1804.  In  1805,  Amasa  to 
Thomas  A.  Hill,  and  he  to  Clement  Hill,  a  cooper,  1814;  16  acres.  Hill 
sold  back  to  Thomas  A.  Hill  of  Bangor,  Me.,  May  23,  1816.  The  Hill's 
appear  to  have  owned  the  property  till  1838 — Clement,  Thomas  A.  and 
Moses.  In  1844,  True  Webster  probably  lived  here.  June  6,  1844  Sewall 
Rugg  bought  of  the  Hill  heirs.  Mr.  Rugg  to  Rev.  Joseph  Allen  1859. 
Haskell  Carpenter,  Ephraim  Wyman,  Ariel  Carpenter,  Philemon 
Wright,  Chauncey  Kenney,  John  A.  Cushing,  William  Riley  Kenney, 
Rev.  Ezra  Adams,  Joseph  Wright  and  others  lived  here  between  1838 
and  1876,  with  two  families  in  the  house  a  portion  of  time.  George  B. 
Britton  bought  and  settled  here  about  1877  and  removed  to  No.  43,  Oct. 
1892.  A  defective  chimney  caused  a  fire  which  destroyed  the  old  house 
May  31,  1878,  and  Mr.  Britton  rebuilt  on  the  same  site  the  present 
buildings.  Arthur  Birch  bought  1895.  John  W.  Conley  bought  and 
still  owns  the  property;  was  occupied  by  his  son,  George  B.,  until  the 
latter  moved  to  No.  93,  Apr.  1920;  Ernest  W.  Carpenter  moved  here 
Apr.  6,  1923,  from  No.  4. 

31.  About  1895  William  O.  Davis  bought  a  small  lot  and  erected  the  house 

still  standing — Dec.  1922.  Davis  lived  here  several  months  then  Her- 
bert S.  Britt;  no  one  since.  W.  F.  Gates  bought  and  sold  to  John  W. 
Conley  in  1899  who  has  used  it  as  a  shop. 

32.  This  was  the  old  village  store  No.  47.     Mason  A.  Carpenter  bought  and 

moved  the  building  to  this  spot,  June  1905,  placing  it  on  (three  acres) 
land  he  bought  of  Henry  A.  Pike  that  spring.  Pike  bought  the  land  of 
H.  Moses  Blake,  Dec.  28,  1895.  Carpenter  exchanged  wifh  Carl  H. 
Adams  and  he  sold  to  Selwin  I.  Carter  and  here  his  family  now  resides. 
George  N.  Conley  here  several  years;  James  C.  Duffy,  William  H.  Rol- 
lins, Clifton  Chambers,  a  Mr.  Hurd  and  possibly  others  between  1906 
and  1919. 

33.  June  19,  1781,  Joshua  Dart  of  Weathersfield,  Vt.,  sold  to  John  White  of 

Keene  "a  mansion  house  and  barn"  with  20  acres  of  land,  "and  is  ye 
Place  where  I  used  to  Dwell."  By  "a  mansion  house"  we  would  under- 
stand it  was  a  frame  building  instead  of  being  built  of  logs.  There  is 
no  doubt  but  the  dwelling  mentioned  in  that  deep  is  the  same  house  now 
occupied  by  Oscar  B.  Deane,  although  some  improvements  have  been 
made  within  recent  years.  It  formerly  had  the  Big  Chimney;  is  low, 
one  story,  and  before  1850  was  an  old  weatherbeaten  building.  One 
room  has  never  been  repaired,  the  door  swings  on  the  old  wooden  hinges, 
the  wood  latch  and  latch-string  ai'e  still  in  place  and  the  floor  boards 
are  fastened  down  by  wood  pins.  We  believe  this  is  one  of  the  oldest 
houses  in  town.  It  stands  end  to  the  highway  and  is  about  28  x  31  feet 
on  the  ground.  John  White  sold  to  Frederick  Reed,  1783.  Reed  sold 
next  year  to  his  father.  Gen.  James  Reed.  July  7,  1786  Gen.  Reed  to 
William  Abbott,  Jr.  Abbott  probably  sold  to  Ebenezer  Cummings,  and 
he  sold  to  Maj.  Nathan  Hayward  Dec.  11,  1787.  Maj.  H —  lived  here  till 
1801.  For  several  years  Mr.  H,  was  elected  "pound  keeper"  and  his 
"cow  yard"  served  as  a  pound.  Dr.  Isaac  Monroe  bought  and  sold  to 
Col.  Charles  Bond,  1808,  a  part  of  farm  "where  I  now  live,"     The  Col. 


286  History  of  Surry 

opened  a  tavern  that  year  supposedly  in  this  house.  During  the  next  30 
years,  several  owned  or  were  interested  in  this  farm,  viz.:  George  W. 
Stearns  of  Brookline,  Mass.;  Joseph  Bellows,  of  Walpole;  John  Bel- 
lows of  Boston;  William  Cochran  of  Boston;  Oren  Shelley  was  living 
here,  1838;  Charles  Emerson,  1839.  Soon  after,  Jonathan  and  Samuel 
Robinson  held  a  claim  several  years.  Apr.  8,  1859  Samuel  sold  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Abijah  Benton  who  had  then  been  living  on  the  place  several 
years.  Rebecca  Benton  sold  to  Charles  Augustus  Blake  Apr.  16,  1861; 
50  acres.  After  his  death  the  farm  fell  to  his  son,  Henry  Moses  Blake. 
The  latter  sold  to  Arthur  Birch,  1899,  and  he  sold  Sept.  4,  1904  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs,  Oscar  B.  Deane, — to  date.  The  following  places  have  been 
severed  from  this  farm  since  1870:  Nos.  31,  32,  234  and  235,  also  a 
woodlot  at  west  side.  Formerly  this  farm  was  bounded  on  the  north  by 
the  old  Westmoreland  Leg  and  Gilsum  town  line,  and  from  the  road  this 
line  ran  West  10°  North,  137  rods.  From  1801  to  '03,  Abraham  Wheeler 
lived  here. 

34.  Woolston  Brockway,  one  of  the  Proprietors,  owned  this  place,  Aug.  4, 

1761.  He  died  1789  then  his  son  John  moved  here  from  No.  38.  John 
died  1799,  his  widow  lived  on  the  place  until  about  1805.  Abel  Monroe 
carried  on  the  farm;  in  1800  he  took  out  a  license  and  kept  tavern.  A 
fire  destroyed  the  house,  June  21,  1805,  and  possibly  the  barn  as  an 
advertisement  under  date  of  Nov.  6,  1806,  states  there  was  a  good  barn 
and  a  house  partly  finished.  The'  Brockway  family  scattered  about 
1806.  Samuel  Robinson  bought  the  place  and  sold  to  Ichabod  Ballou, 
July  10,  1826.  Ballou  built  on  16  feet  on  the  south  end  of  the  house, 
and  1836  sold  to  Jonah  Carter  who  died  1849,  when  his  son-in-law, 
Joshua  D.  Blake  received  the  place.  Then  his  son  Charles  H.  was  here 
till  his  death,  1903.  Charles  G.  Grain,  2nd,  lived  here  a  few  months. 
George  A.  Hall  bought  the  property  and  moved  here  Feb.  1906 — to  date. 
Two  families  have  lived  here  at  times,  some  of  whom  were :  Chandler 
Wilbur,  James  O.  Hudson  1854  (?),  Hiram  Hudson  1853/8,  William 
Gage,  Hiram  Britton,  1856,  etc.  The  well  into  which  the  old  Whipping 
Post  was  cast  at  an  early  date  mentioned  in  a  survey  of  the  highway, 
1803,  is  about  35  feet  deep  and  across  the  road  nearly  opposite  No.  34. 

35.  Tradition  says,  when  the  first  house  was  built  at  the  end  of  "Gauntlet 

road"  or  "Love  lane"  it  stood  by  the  bridle  road  up  Surry  valley. 
Nathaniel  Dart  lived  here  1777;  Mar.  21,  1780  he  sold  to  Frederick 
Reed  "one  home  Lott  of  Fifty  acres"  bounded  east  by  highway,  north  by 
John  Marvin,  west  "on  the  common  Land,"  south  by  Joshua  Dart. 
Nathaniel  regained  the  property  and  sold  to  John  Willey,  his  son-in-law, 
1798.  July  14,  1820,  Willey  sold  to  Theodore  Monroe  "all  except  the 
blacksmith  shop  and  shoe  shop  standing  thereon."  Monroe  sold  to 
David  Carpenter,  1822,  all  except  the  shops.  Aug.  16,  1823  David  sold 
to  Thomas  Adams  of  Keene  this  farm  of  77  acres,  but  "reserving,  how- 
ever to  myself  and  my  heirs  the  exclusive  right  in  and  to  a  certain 
spring  of  water  situated  near  the  west  end  of  said  premises."  Oct. 
13,  that  year,  David  sold  this  spring  right  to  four  men  living  in  the 
village  as  noted  elsewhere  in  this  work.  Adams  lived  here  until  death, 
then  his  widow  sold  to  Elijah  Norris,  "an  Iron   Smith,"   1828.     From 


Residences  287 

1829  to  1831,  Emerson  Ross,  Boardwin  Brown  and  Thomas  S.  Hurlbert 
had  an  interest  here.  Mar.  18,  1833,  Norris  sold  to  Asahel  and  Phil- 
ander Stone.  The  latter  lived  and  died  here,  1865.  1866,  Joshua  D. 
Blake  bought  property  and  sold  to  his  son  Lewis  F.  Blake,  1879.  After 
death  of  Lewis  it  fell  to  his  son  Orman  L.  Blake.  1914,  W.  R.  Porter 
of  Cheshire  Natl.  Bank  of  Keene  held  claim  on  farm.  Soon  after  the 
wood  and  timber  were  cut  off  and  the  farm  divided  between  Carl  H. 
Adams  and  Clark  A.  Knapp  both  of  Keene.  Frank  B.  Kingsbury  bought 
property  and  removed  here,  May  1920.  The  old  house  was  torn  down 
while  J.  D.  Blake  owned  property  and  the  present  dwelling  erected  on 
the  old  site,  during  the  winter,  1877-78.  A  partial  list  of  those  living 
here  between  1820  and  1920:  Asa  Britton;  Rev.  Joseph  Allen;  Hiram 
(Horace)  P.  Bigelow,  1872  (?);  Henry  L.  Wilbur,  1873  (?);  John  A. 
Cushing;  Mason  A.  Carpenter,  1878;  George  B.  Britton,  1878,  while 
building  his  new  house  at  No.  30;  Ira  J.  Robbins,  1877  (?);  Enos 
Sweeney,  1915;  William  H.  Rollins,  1919. 

So  far  as  known,  no  one  ever  suffered  at  the  old  "Whipping  Post" 
which  about  stood  at  the  time  of  the  Revolution  at  the  east  end  of  "The 
gauntlet  road,"  or  la7ie.  In  the  south-east  corner  of  the  field,  just  north 
of  the  Post  formerly  stood  a  blacksmith  shop  and  shoe  shop.  Old  Mr. 
James  Britton  was  a  shoemaker  here  and  set  out  about  100  years  ago 
the  two  elm  trees  now  standing.  The  smith  shop  is  mentioned  in  sev- 
eral deeds;  the  last  time,  Dec.  23,  1830. 

36.  Lewis   F.   Blake  built  a  small  blacksmith  shop  on  the  ledge,   1882    (?) 

which  stood  about  25  years. 

37.  An  old  cellar  hole  marks  where  John  Still  lived  in  1770,  over  the  Ashue- 

lot  river.  John  Marvin  lived  there  at  a  later  period.  The  early  records 
speak  of  the  "Pent  road"  leading  to  John  Still's.  A  search  for  this  site 
has  been  made  without  success,  although  it  was  seen  in  1887. 

38.  Woolston  Brockway  sold  Apr.  12,  1783,  to  his  "loving  son  John"  this  part 

of  his  home  farm,  at  which  time  there  was  "a  mansion  house  standing 
thereon."  This  house  torn  down  by  William  Carpenter,  1865,  was  built 
of  plank,  one  story  high;  weatherbeaten ;  side  to  the  road  and  the  floor 
boards  were  fastened  down  by  half  inch  wood  pins.  Two  families  fre- 
quently lived  at  the  same  time  in  this  house.  John  sold  Apr.  17,  1788  to 
Benjamin  Kimball.  1789,  Kimball  to  Peleg  Sprague  of  Keene.  Sprague 
to  Samuel  Smith  and  Jonathan  Robinson.  1792  Cushman  Smith  held 
ownership,  then  Eldad  &  Sylvester  Skinner,  John  Emerson  and  Calvin 
Hayward  prior  to  1809.  That  year  Joab  Daggett  bought  and  sold  to 
Otis  Daggett  Apr.  11,  1810.  1820  Otis  sold  to  Enoch  Whitcomb  who  lived 
here  till  1838  when  he  sold  to  Amos  Adams.  Feb.  22,  1842,  Amos  sold 
half  interest  to  his  son  Benjamin  W.  Adams.  Jan.  15,  1848  the  Adams 
family  sold  to  Elijah  Holbrook  who  soon  after  conveyed  the  same  to 
Caleb  Wright.  Apr.  2,  1850,  Caleb  sold  to  William  Carpenter.  John 
W.  Conley  owned  this  place,  1891-1899,  otherwise  it  has  been  owned 
(the  buildings  and  a  few  acres  of  the  original  farm)  since  1850  to  the 
present,  by  Carpenter,  his  daughter  Marietta  and  Edward  H.  Wright. 
William  C —  built  present  house  1865  on  the  site  of  the  old  dwelling. 


288  History  of  Surry 

The  following  lived  here  prior  to  1870:  Bellows  Emerson;  Luther 
Smith,  1853;  Mrs,  Electa  Morton  Adams;  Charles  A.  Britton;  Samuel 
White  till  his  death.  William  Carpenter  moved  here  from  No.  41  in 
1871. 

39.  Nov.  18,  1842,  Rev.  Elihu  Smith  bought  of  Philander  Stone  for  SlOO  one 

acre  of  land  with  a  building  thereon.  From  the  purchase  price  the 
"building"  must  have  been  a  shed  or  barn,  as  Mr.  Smith  bought  the  old 
Willard  Smith  house  (No.  17)  tore  it  down,  using  the  material  to  build 
this  house,  1842/3.  It  was  considered  "the  parsonage"  for  several 
years.  Rev.  Lorenzo  Draper  here,  1850;  Ichabod  Grain,  1853  till  his 
death,  1866,  then  his  widow  who  later  married  Emery  Bragg.  Joseph 
H.  Stickney,  1880/81;  Mrs.  Ann  G.  Fawcett;  John  Anderson,  1890  (?), 
Edwin  K.  and  Helen  M.  Seabury  of  Walpole  received  the  property  by  the 
Bragg  will  and  sold  same  Jan.  2,  1893.  Melville  C.  Lewis  lived  here 
1915.  Francis  F.  Field  and  son  Theodore  lived  here  until  the  death  of 
the  former  in  1923. 

40.  Aug.   6,   1900,   George   B.   Britton   sold 'to   Mrs.    Marietta   C.    (Daniels) 

Wright  this  lot  from  his  farm,  fehe  erected  the  house  and  the  barn  a 
year  or  two  later;  the  garage  built,  1922.  For  a  few  years  it  was  used 
as  a  parsonage  and  occupied  by  Rev.  W.  F.  Whitcomb,  and  Rev.  M.  W. 
Hale.  Mrs.  Flora  A.  Garvin,  owned  and  occupied  it  summers  between 
1911  and  1916,  when  Mrs.  Wright  repurchased  the  place,  and  her  hus- 
band is  the  present  owner.  Rev.  H.  S.  Kimball,  Ernest  W.  Carpenter, 
P.  L.  Pressey  and  Geo.  L.  Perham  have  also  lived  here  in  recent  years. 

41.  May  26,  1838,  Amos  Adams  purchased  this  land  of  Samuel  Robinson  and 

soon  after  built  the  house  now  standing.  In  1842  Amos  sold  one  undi- 
vided half  interest  to  his  son  Benjamin  W.  Adams,  after  which  they 
owned  this  place  and  No.  38,  Jan.  15,  1848,  Elijah  Holbrook  bought  this 
farm  and  on  14,  Apr.  1849  sold  to  William  Carpenter — about  60  acres. 
Carpenter  lived  here,  Feb.  1850  until  1871.  Mar.  1872  he  sold  to  F.  D. 
W.  Carpenter  who  lived  here  till  Mar.  1875,  then  sold  to  Elbridge  W. 
Britton.  Jan.  3,  1881,  L.  M.  Carpenter  bought  and  sold  to  William  Mar- 
tin Dec.  20,  1895,  whose  family  have  since  resided  here.  George  N. 
Conley,  Arthur  M.  Carpenter,  Geo.  E.  Crosby  have  lived  on  the  farm. 

42.  Tradition  says  a  blacksmith  shop  stood  here  prior  to  1840  and  for  over 

half  a  century  only  the  plowshare  has  revealed  its  site.  Who  owned 
and  operated  this  shop  is  unknown,  unless,  possibly  Otis  Daggett, 

43.  Jonathan  Mack  of  Lyme,  Conn,,  drew  three  50  acres  lot  in  that  part  of 

Gilsum  now  S,,  viz.:  L.  1,  R.  4;  L.  1,  R.  5;  L.  1,  R.  6.  He  sold  to  his 
son  Josiah  and  the  latter  sold  to  John  Marvin,  Sr.,  Oct.  30,  1766,  who 
appears  to  have  moved  into  town  from  Lyme,  and  the  next  year  erected 
the  first  buildings  on  this  land,  probably  near  the  site  of  the  present 
Post  Oflfice.  In  the  spring  of  1786  Marvin  transferred  to  his  son  John 
Marvin,  Jr.,  who  swapped  farms  with  Delevan  Delance  in  the  north  west 
part  of  the  town.  These  lots  were  three  deep — from  east  to  west — and 
the  width  of  one  lot  from  north  to  south.  The  south  line  is  the  fence  a 
few  feet  north  of  Francis  F.  Field's  house   (No.  39).     The  late  George 


Residences  289 

B.  Britton  told  the  writer  the  original  north  line  ran  through  the  build- 
ings where  Ichabod  Ballou- formerly  lived,  No.  66.  Now  having  estab- 
lished the  size  of  this  land  we  find  the  cemetery  and  all  buildings  on  the 
west  side  of  the  "village  street"  between  No.  39  and  66  stand  on  land 
first  owned  by  Jonathan  Mack. 

Mar.  21,  1797,  Delance  sold  to  Thomas  Smith,  whose  son  Cushman 
bought  in  1799,  built  a  store  and  kept  tavern  in  1802.  The  ell  of  the 
present  house  occupies  the  site  of  the  old  house  which  was  removed  and 
stood  in  the  door  yard  for  several  years  while  John  A.  Gushing  and 
others  lived  in  it,  finally  George  B.  Britton  tore  it  down  1908.  Tradi- 
tion says  when  Otis  Daggett  built  the  front  portion  of  the  present 
house,  1840  (?)  he  moved  the  store  off  its  site  making  it  into  the  ell. 
Gushman  Smith  became  involved  in  financial  matters  in  1806/7  and  left 
town,  after  which  Galvin  Hayward  and  others  held  interests  in  the 
property.  From  Apr.  24,  1809,  until  Feb.  20,  1847,  the  Daggett  family 
— Joab,  Ira,  Marcus  and  Otis^ — all  appear  to  have  held  an  interest  in  the 
place,  and  possibly  Enoch  Whitcomb  for  a  short  time.  Otis  Daggett 
was  a  blacksmith  and  his  shop  stood  near  his  house  till  removed,  about 
1846.  Benjamin  M.  Britton  bought  of  the  Daggett  heirs  in  1847  and 
after  his  death,  1891,  his  son  George  B.  and  family,  have  lived  here. 
Since  1901  the  Post  Office  has  been  in  this  house. 

44.  Nov.  17,  1851,  Benj.  M.  Britton  sold  an  acre  of  land  to  Holland  Stevens 

who  erected  the  house  now  standing.  He  sold  to  Esq.  Sylvester  Smith 
who  lived  here  till  his  death  in  1863.  The  following  have  owned  the 
property  or  lived  here:  S.  Harrison  and  George  P.  Porter  before  1860; 
Gharles  A.  Britton;  Rev.  Joseph  Allen;  George  H.  Rand  after  his  fire 
at  No.  173;  Alonzo  F.  Wilbur;  George  H.  Joslin;  Mason  A.  Carpenter; 
Merrill  E.  Flagg,  1874  (?)  ;  John  A.  Blake;  Joseph  W.  Caldwell;  Edwin 
A.  Kenion  at  the  time  he  was  merchant;  Gilbert  Crane;  Frank  P.  Crane; 

C.  H.  George;  Harry  Maxwell;  William  Ingerson,  1916  (?);  also  Wil- 
liam H.  Wright;  Arthur  E.  Salley;  Dean  Tyler  at  time  of  his  death, 
1854;  Hiram  F.  Newell  till  his  death,  1922,  and  probably  others.  Her- 
bert R.  Crane,  the  present  owner,  has  lived  here  twice. 

45.  Aug.  16,  1854,  William  Carpenter  sold  to  Mi's.  Nancy  M.  Britton   (wife 

of  James)  a  lot  4  x  10  rods  deep  from  off  the  north-west  corner  of  his 
home  place.  She  bought  the  old  school  house  No.  113,  had  it  moved  and 
made  into  a  dwelling  house.  It  is  now  the  west  end  of  the  present  build- 
ings. After  the  death  of  Mr.  Britton  she  married  Holland  Stevens;  both 
lived  and  died  here;  since  then  Mason  A.  Carpenter  has  had  an  interest 
in  the  original  and  additional  property.  The  size  of  the  old  school 
house  building  was  20  x  28  feet. 

46.  Jonathan  and  Samuel  Robinson  owned  this  land  prior  to  1816.     Josiah 

Knight  bought  a  small  plot  of  land  and  probably  built  the  house  about 
that  time  and  the  store  (No.  47)  soon  after.  June  19,  1818,  Josiah  sold 
to  Dr.  Jonathan  Knight  of  Westmoreland,  but  appears  to  have  con- 
tinued living  on  the  property,  until  it  was  sold  June  15,  1819,  to 
Ephraim  Searls  of  Boston,  and  he  sold  to  George  Whiting  of  the  same 
city.     May  1,  1822,  John  May  a  merchant  of  Boston  bought  this  and 


19 


290  History  of  Surry 

the  store  property,  but  he,  too,  apparently  was  unsuccessful,  for  on 
June  29,  1825,  the  property  was  attached  in  favor  of  Joseph  Stuart  of 
Boston.  In  November  of  the  same  year  May  gave  satisfaction  by  giv- 
ing Stuart  a  deed  of  a  plot  of  land  4  x  10  rods  just  south  of  his  house 
which  he  (May)  "had  developed  as  a  garden."  After  the  death  of  John 
May,  1826,  his  widow  sold  to  Mrs.  Sarah  F.  Wheelock  of  Keene  at  which 
time  there  was  on  this  land  a  dwelling  house,  store,  shoeshop,  shed  and 
barn.  July  7,  1837  Capt.  Almond  Stevens  bought  this  place  of  the 
•  Wheelock  heirs.  Capt.  Stevens  lived  here  and  ran  store,  and  died  1865. 
The  following  have  owned  or  lived  at  this  place :  Marshall  B.  Britton, 
1867;  George  A.  Stevens;  Joseph  W.  Caldwell;  David  S.  Aldrich;  John 
A.  Blake;  Jerry  Rogers,  1874  (?);  Henry  L.  Wilbur;  Merrill  D.  Car- 
penter; Wesley  F.  Wilbur;  Luman  M.  Carpenter,  Arthur  M.  Carpenter, 
George  N.  Conley;  Ernest  W.  Carpenter,  twice;  C.  D.  Fitzgerald,  etc. 
Frank  P.  Crane  bought  the  property  and  sold  it  Jan.  1913  to  the  Church 
Society  for  a  parsonage.  Since  then  it  has  been  occupied  by  Rev.  Henry 
S.  Kimball,  Rev.  Fred'k  C.  Hunt  and  E.  W.  Carpenter.  For  several 
years  the  post  office  was  in  this  building. 

47.  Site  of  the  village  store,  which  as  previously  stated,  was  moved  to  No. 

32  in  1905.  It  is  supposed  to  have  been  built  by  Josiah  Knight,  about 
1816/17.  He  was  in  business  here,  then  "Hough  &  Redding"  in  1819; 
John  May,  1822-25;  Arvin  Britton;  Capt.  Almond  Stevens  between  1837 
and  1856,  he  was  postmaster  in  1854;  S.  Harrison  and  his  brother 
George  P.  Porter;  Marshall  B.  Britton,  1872;  "Shelley  &  Streeter"  and 
possibly  others.  Mrs.  James  Cheever  bought  the  property  and  made  it 
into  a  dwelling,  living  here  several  years.  Others  living  here  between 
1882  and  1905:  Wesley  F.  Wilbur;  Herbert  N.  Gunn;  Ezekiel  0.  Whit- 
comb;  Mrs.  Emma  F.  Weeks;  George  N.  Conley;  Arthur  M.  and  Ernest 
W.  Carpenter. 

48.  Sept.  2,  1812,  Jonathan  Robinson  sold  his  property  to  his  son  Samuel;  the. 

farm  extended  from  No.  38  to  60  on  east  side  of  the  village  street.  Jan. 
5,  1821,  Samuel  Robinson  sold  a  lot  12^/^  rods  on  the  street  to  George 
Whitney,  a  Boston  merchant,  for  $500.00.  No  buildings  are  mentioned, 
yet  from  the  price,  there  must  have  been  more  than  just  land.  How 
Whitney  disposed  of  the  property  is  unknown  as  the  records  are  obscure. 
We  believe,  however,  that  the  land  where  No.  46  and  47  are  were  a  part 
of  this  property.  July  7,  1837,  Sarah  F.,  Andrew  C,  and  Emily  Wheel- 
ock, heirs  of  Lynds  Wheelock  sold  to  Capt.  Almond  Stevens.  In  a  mort- 
.  gage  deed^  to  Dea.  Grain,  1837,  there  was  a  house,  barn,  store  and  other 
buildings.  Sept.  21,  1843,  Capt.  Stevens  sold  this  part  of  his  property 
to  Holland  Stevens;  Oct.  4th  of  the  same  year,  Holland  bought  more 
land  of  Elijah  Holbrook,  all  of  which  he  sold  Feb.  21,  1844,  to  Joseph 
Allen  who  moved  here  from  No.  106.  After  his  death  his  widow  and 
Horace  Gould,  Sr.,  and  heirs.  Cyrus  Kingsbury  bought  place  and  his 
widow  sold  to  Otis  W.  Kingsbury  about  1916.  Mr.  K.  died  and  the  place 
was  sold  at  auction  Apr.  21,  1919  to  Mrs.  Erich  H.  Raabe  of  Bridgeport, 
Conn.,  formerly  of  No.  54,  who  has  since  made  numerous  repairs,  and 
resides  there  part  of  time. 


Residences  291 

49.  This  house  was  moved  by  Herbert  R.  Crane  from  No.  104,  and  has  been 

remodeled  ??  Luman  M.  Carpenter;   Francis  F,  Field;   Fred 

S.  Blake;  Clifton  Chambers;  George  N.  Conley;  Lewis  C.  Buntlin  and 
perhaps  others  lived  here  prior  to  1911,  when  Buntlin  sold  to  Mrs.  John 
Anderson.     She  and  her  son  Anders  now  own  the  place. 

50.  July  5,  1839,  Otis  Daggett  sold  a  lot  for  $110.00  to  Dea.  Ichabod  Crane 

which  extended  south  from  the  village  school  house  lot  142  feet  and  ran 
"70   feet   west   from   the   wall."     On   this   lot   was   erected   the   "Crain 


Surry  Village,  Looking  North. 

Church,"  so  called,  which  was  dedicated  Wednesday,  Oct.  9,  1839.  Ser- 
vices appear  to  have  been  held  nearly  all  the  time  until  1875,  then  for 
15  years,  only  cocasionally.  The  church  was  revived  under  the  pastor- 
ate of  Rev.  W.  E.  Renshaw  in  1890  and  since,  preaching  has  been 
pretty  constant.     See  Ecclesiastical  chapter. 

May  5,  1830,  Otis  Daggett  sold  to  school  district  No.  2  (the  village)  a  lot 
40  X  40  feet  where  the  present  school  house  was  soon  after  erected.  Ac- 
cording to  the  records,  the  south-east  corner  of  said  lot  was  "30  feet 
north  of  an  elm  tree,"  which  is  still  standing.  See  Educational  chap- 
ter. 

Fred'  B.  Marshall  moved  the  old  blacksmith  shop  and  built  a  small  house 
1895,  using  material  from  an  unfinished  blacksmith  shop  he  built  at  No. 
60.  He  lived  here  a  short  time,  then  George  N.  Conley,  and  Charles 
F.  Britton.  Mrs.  Edward  H.  "Wright  bought  the  place  about  1908  and 
since  Nov.  1911  it  has  been  occupied  by  George  H.  Joslin. 

Apr.  19,  1851,  Elijah  Holbrook  sold  a  lot  four  rods  square  to  Mrs.  Nancy 
(Cram)  Benton  who  had  a  small  cottage  erected  in  which  she  lived 
several  years  then  sold  to  Warren  Carpenter  who  added  it  to  his  home 
farm.    The  building  stood  till  about  1889  when  it  was  moved  to  the  back 


292 


History  of  Surry 


part  of  Carpentei*'s  land  and  finally  went  to  decay.  The  following  lived 
here:  Charles  A.  Britton,  1856  (?);  Alanson  D.  Comstock;  J.  Langdon 
Britton;  George  Wilcox;  James  Cass;  Chas.  Milan  Carpenter;  Char- 
lotte Cram;  Rev.  Pettigrew;  Frank  A.  Poole;  Nicholas  Vincellette; 
David  Y.  Kenyon;  Lewis  Castor,  etc.  It  usually  has  been  known  as 
"The  Benton  house";  nothing  now  marks  its  site,  but  a  small  elm  tree. 

54.  Warren  Carpenter  built  this  house  in  1874,  placing  it  on  land  belonging 

to  his  hotel  property,  No.  55.  Mar.  16  (?),  1888,  a  barn  standing  near 
this  house  was  burned,  and  at  the  time  the  hotel  buildings  were  de- 
stroyed, 1907,  this  house  was  saved  only  by  heroic  effort  on  the  part  of 
the  village  citizens.  Warren  and  C.  Milan  Carpenter;  Daniel  B.  C.  Hill; 
Lewis  Castor;  Charles  W.  Carpenter;  Mrs.  H.  R.  Emmons  and  Mrs. 
F.  A.  Garvin,  who  sold  1910  to  Erich  H.  Raabe  who  built  an  addition 
on  the  north  side  and  opened  the  "Triple  Elms"  house.  Nov.  1,  1918, 
Thomas  J.  Kelley  bought  place.  Samuel  E.  Howard  opened  a  store  Oct. 
1920,  being  succeeded  by  Mr.  Kelly. 

55.  Jonathan  Robinson,  the  Revolutionary  soldier  settled  here  prior  to  1790 

and  soon  after  opened  a  tavern.  He  enlarged  his  buildings  from  time  to 
time;    opened   a  store   in   1799   and   subsequently,   in   company  with   his 


The  Village  Hotel. 

sons,  Jonathan  Jr.  and  Samuel,  became  extensive  dealers  in  real  estate 
in  this  town. 

In  1819  (?)  he  sold  to  his  son  Samuel  who  continued  business  as 
farmer  and  tavernkeeper,  until  Nov.  22,  1842,  when  he  sold  250  acres 
land  and  buildings  for  $2200.00  to  Elijah  Holbrook  his  son-in-law.  This 
land  was  bounded  on  "Whoponock  Hill."  Mr.  Holbrook  built  a  large  ell 
and  ball  room,  1850  (?)  and  sold  out  the  business  to  Warren  Carpenter 


Residences  293 

Dec.  10,  1855.  Mr.  Carpenter  moved  here  from  No.  166  and  carried  on 
business  for  about  20  years  and  sold  Jan.  15,  1874  to  James  D.  Cheever. 
The  ownership  and  proprietorship  were  varied  and  quite  numerous  from 
1880  until  Feb.  4,  1907,  when  a  young  man  applied  a  match  to  the  build- 
ings, and  the  barns,  sheds  and  hotel  were  swept  clean  from  this  spot. 

Mrs.  H.  R.  Emmons  now  owns  the  old  site. 

The  following  have  owned  or  kept  the  old  hotel :  Capt.  Almond  Ste- 
vens, 1854/55;  Oilman  D.  Ordway,  1888;  Capt.  Thomas  L.  Harmon, 
1884  (?);  Ephraim  B.  Newton;  Daniel  B.  C.  Hill;  Mr.  Blackmer;  Win- 
field  E.  Wilbur;  A.  J.  Belden  and  Charles  F.  Britton  owTied  property 
at  time  of  fire. 

56.  Elijah  Holbrook  while  running  his  hotel  bought  a  small  lot  where  No.  52 

now  stands  and  built  a  blacksmith  shop,  1848/9.  It  stood  in  line  of  and 
south  of  the  horse  sheds  until  Fred  B.  Marshall  moved  it  westerly  sev- 
eral feet  where  it  has  since  been  occupied  as  a  barn  for  No.  52.  Frank- 
lin B.  Benton  gave  up  business  at  his  shop,  No.  109  to  take  charge  of 
this  shop  for  Holbrook  in  1850.  Jan.  1,  1857  Samuel  H.  Poole  bought  the 
shop  and  ran  it  several  years.  A  complete  list  of  those  who  have  labored 
here  is  not  at  hand;  we  mention  the  following:  Fred  B.  Marshall  about 
1882  and  again  1895  (?);  Merrill  D.  Carpenter;  Frank  E.  Alexander  of 
Gilsum;  John  Albert  Blake  and  others. 

57.  Nov.  12,  1831,  Otis  Daggett  sold  a  lot  18^/2  x  90  feet  between  the  south- 

west corner  of  the  meeting  house  and  the  school  house  lot  to  the  follow- 
ing ten  men  for  the  sum  of  $10.00:  Peter  Hayward,  Eliphaz  Field,  Eli- 
phalet  Dort,  Jonathan  Robinson,  George  Crehore,  Hollis  Wilcox,  Horace 
B.  Shaw,  Jonathan  Harvey,  Jr.,  George  Wilcox  and  Nathan  D.  Reed. 
Mr.  Daggett  stipulated  in  the  sale  that  they  should  be  used  for  "Horse 
sheds  and  for  no  other  purpose." 

58.  The  old  meeting  house,  now,  Town  Hall,  is  the  most  interesting  building 

now  standing  in  town.  Erected  in  1771,  though  not  fully  completed  un- 
til 1792;  a  house  of  worship  where  our  ancestors  assembled  on  the  Sab- 
bath until  nearly  the  middle  of  the  last  century,  and  where  they  have 
annually  gathered  in  town  meeting  since  July  13,  1772.  In  1858  the 
building  was  remodeled  for  a  Town  Hall;  a  floor  on  the  second  story 
replaced  the  old  gallery  which  extended  around  three  sides  of  the  room; 
the  box  pews  were  removed,  and  the  steeple  was  enlarged.  A  select  school 
was  kept  in  2nd  story  a  term  or  two.  In  1866  the  lower  floor  was  used 
for  a  time  by  Alanson  Bingham  &  Son  for  the  manufacture  of  chairs. 
It  was  then  rented  by  Geo.  W.  Britton  and  Edwin  A.  Kenyon  for  a 
"General  Store,"  under  the  firm  name  of  "Britton  &  Kenyon."  In  1880 
a  partition  was  put  in  and  the  west  half  finished  for  "The  Reed  Free 
Library,"  which  was  opened  Jan.  1,  1881. 

59.  Mrs.  Hattie  R.  Emmons  erected  in  1914  a  house  which  she  has  since  oc- 

cupied a  portion  of  each  year.  So  far  as  known  this  is  the  only  building 
on  this  site. 

60.  The  first  public  building  in  Surry  was  erected  on  or  near  this  spot.     At 

"a  Speshell  Town  meeting"  held  at  the  house  of  Jonathan  Smith's  "on 


294  History  of  Surry 

wensday  the  forth  Day  of  October  at  one  of  the  Clock  in  the  after- 
noon," 1769,  Voted:  "to  Buld  a  House  Sufficient  to  hold  all  public  meet- 
ings in  and  for  a  Schoole  House."  The  size  of  said  house,  22  feet  long 
and  18  feet  wide.  Also  "Voted  to  Buld  Sd  House  on  the  East  Side  of  the 
Highway  against  the  Buring  Yard  Bars."  The  town  clerk  in  recording 
the  minutes  of  this  meeting  has  left  us  very  important  information: 
the  date,  location,  size  and  use  of  this  building.  The  house  was  standing 
here  Mar.  13,  1804,  when  a  committee  consisting  of  Maj.  Nathan  Hay- 
ward,  Judge  Lemuel  Holmes  and  Lieut.  Levi  Fuller  was  chosen  to  in- 
spect a  piece  of  land  east  of  the  meeting  house  where  the  school-house 
now  stands.  At  an  adjourned  town  meeting  it  was  voted,  not  to  move 
the  school  house  from  where  it  now  stands.  Tradition  says  the  build- 
ing was  moved  about  1835  to  No.  67.  About  1884  Fred  B.  Marshall 
built  a  blacksmith  shop  on  the  same  spot,  taking  Frank  D,  W.  Carpen- 
ter, on  whose  land  the  new  shop  was  erected,  into  partnership.  The 
shop  was  never  fully  completed  and  after  a  number  of  years  was  moved 
and  is  now  No.  52. 

61.  Thomas  Pitkin,  Jr.,  drew  50  acres;  L.  1,  R.  7  and  in  1763  sold  to  Jona- 

than Smith  who  settled  here  before  1764.  His  first  dwelling  doubtless 
was  a  log  cabin;  within  a  few  years  he  built  a  commodious  house.  Sev- 
eral are  living  who  remember  this  squatty  appearing  one  story  dwelling 
standing  side  to  the  road  in  what  is  now  the  garden  of  No.  63,  with  its 
front  door  extending  from  the  ground  to  the  eave.  Mr.  Smith  was  called 
an  "innholder"  as  early  as  1773  and  possessed  those  social  qualities 
which  made  his  home  a  nucleus  for  many  Proprietor  meetings,  as  well 
as  Town  meetings  after  1769.  It  was  a  common  thing  after  the  meet- 
ing house  was  built — cold  and  unheated — to  adjourn  to  the  warm  hos- 
pitable home  of  Jonathan  Smith  to  transact  the  town's  business.  His 
land  was  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  village  street  from  John  Marvin's 
and  originally  extended  between  No,  38  and  67.  Apr.  3,  1781,  Jonathan 
sold  his  farm  to  his  son,  Capt.  Samuel  Smith,  bounded  partly  "on 
Whoppanock  Hill."  Stephen  Chase  of  Keene  bought  this  farm  for  his 
son  Ziba,  prior  to  1830,  known  as  the  Skmner  farm.  Ziba  farmed  a 
little  and  leased  to  Horace  Baxter,  also  to  Elijah  Turner  and  Seth  Mor- 
ton. He  sold  about  1840.  Levi  Durrell  bought  in  1845  (?),  lived  here 
until  he  built  and  moved  into  his  new  house.  No.  63,  in  1857,  and  this 
house  was  torn  down. 

62.  Oct.  25,  1792,  John  Marvin,  Jr.,  sold  this  part  of  his  home  place,  No.  43, 

to  Adonijah  Marvin  and  the  latter  sold.  Mar.  13,  1793,  to  Samuel  Allen, 
all  but  one  and  V2  acres  "where  my  house  now  stands."  Adonijah  was 
a  shoemaker  and  the  lot  he  bought  of  John,  Jr.,  was  60  rods  deep;  20 
rods  long  on  the  west  end,  and  about  the  same  on  the  "Great  road," 
containing  about  20  acres.  On  July  4th,  the  same  year  he  sold  the  bal- 
ance of  this  property  to  Allen.  In  1803  Daniel  Allen  owned  some  of  the 
property  at  least  and  sold  to  John  Norris  a  blacksmith,  also  a  black- 
smith shop  standing  about  40  rods  north  of  the  meeting  house.  Phinehas 
Allen  was  living  here  prior  to  1835  and  the  next  year  Ichabod  Ballou  is 
believed  to  have  settled  here  and  soon  after  built  on  the  2nd  story,  after 
which  two  families  frequently  occupied  this  house  at  the  same  time.     A 


Residences  295 

partial  list  of  those  who  have  owned  or  lived  here  since  1850,  follows: 
Charles  A.  Britton,  1852;  Samuel  H.  Poole,  1854  and  several  years  later; 
Franklin  B.  Benton;  Rev.  Joseph  Allen;  Charles  O.  Cummings;  Ben- 
jamin C.  Crosby;  David  Y.  Kenyon;  John  C.  Foss;  Marshall  M.  Britton, 
Mrs.  M.  B.  Britton  and  son  Edward  M.  Britton. 

63.  As  noted  under  No.  61,  Levi  Durrell  built  this  house,  1857.     He  sold  to 

Isaac  Brown  who  lived  here  1864-1877,  then  sold  to  Frank  D.  W.  Car- 
penter; William  H,  Wright,  Sidney  J.  Wilder  have  lived  here.  William 
L.  Olds  came  Nov.  4,  1904  and  remained  several  years.  Samuel  Ball 
the  present  owner  moved  here  from  Montreal  Feb.  1912.  Several  rods 
easterly  of  the  present  buildings  are  remains  of  "the  charcoal  pit,"  and 
Capt.  Samul  Allen  is  said  to  have  made  "Pot  Ash"  on  this  farm,  1794/5. 

64.  Apr.  6,  1863,  S.  Harrison  Porter  bought  a  small  plot  of  land  and  from 

the  timber  in  the  old  house  of  Asahel  Harvey,  No.  173,  built  a  store  on 
this  spot.  Oct.  12  of  the  same  year  he  sold  to  Luman  M.  Carpenter  who 
continued  business  as  general  merchant  until  May  2,  1864  when  he  sold 
to  Rachel  and  Roxy  Allen  who  moved  from  No.  70  and  made  the  store 
into  a  dwelling  house.  George  W.  Britton  and  E.  A.  Kenyon  bought  and 
sold  to  Willard  Shaw,  Mar.  3,  1874.  Frank  D.  W.  Carpenter  bought  of 
Shaw,  1876,  and  sold  next  year  to  William  H.  Wright,  and  he  to  Henry 
A.  Pike;  at  his  death  it  fell  to  Mrs.  Myron  H.  Porter.  Charles  Griggs 
bought  and  moved  here  July  1922.  Henry  L.  Wilber,  Charles  H.  George, 
Henry  P.  Porter,  among  others,  have  lived  in  this  house. 

65.  Dea.  Ichabod  Ballou  probably  bought  this  land  of  Samuel  Robinson,  sold 

to  Phinehas  Wheelock  Mar.  28,  1838.  Phinehas  was  a  shoem.aker,  and 
sold  Mar.  6,  1841,  to  Jonathan  Robinson  &  Jonathan  Harvey,  Jr.,  neither 
of  whom  ever  lived  here.  They  sold,  Apr.  6,  1863  to  S.  Hartison  Porter 
who  lived  here  while  running  his  store,  No.  64.  He  sold  this  and  the 
store  to  L.  M.  Carpenter,  1863.  May  2,  1864,  Carpenter  sold  to  Wil- 
liam Gage,  and  he  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Frederick  Scovell,  Sept.  6,  1867. 
Mrs.  Betsey  (Carpenter)  Smith  bought  Nov.  8,  1870,  and  Nov.  28,  1882 
she  deeded  place  to  Mason  A.  Carpenter,  who  sold  to  William  H.  Wright 
on  Mar.  21,  1884  and  he  soon  after  removed  the  old  house. 

Rev.  Ezra  Adams  lived  here,  1840;  Franklin  B.  Benton,  1853;  Dr. 
William  Porter  for  several  years  after  he  came  to  town,  then  moved  to 
No.  70;  David  Y.  Kenyon,  1860  (?);  Eugene  Gates,  1880  (?).;  Nothing 
now  marks  the  site  of  this  house,  but  it  stood  end  to  the  road,  east  of 
the  barn  now  standing,  and  was  one  story. 

66.  From  the  knowledge  at  hand  we  believe  the  following  record  is  fairly 

accurate.  Mar.  29,  1803,  Daniel  Allen  sold  a  lot  about  40  rods  north  of 
the  meeting  house  to  John  Norris  on  which  a  blacksmith  shop  was 
standing.  From  a  later  deed  this  lot  was  three  rods  on  the  highway 
and  6  rods  deep.  Capt.  Simon  Baxter  obtained  the  land  and  building 
and  sold  to  Rev.  Perley  Howe,  Mar.  9,  1808.  Priest  Howe,  as  he  was 
called,  possibly  built  a  dwelling  house  and  sold  to  Daniel  Ellis  a 
"hatter."  Sept.  9,  1816,  Ellis  sold  the  property,  including  "a  hat  shop" 
which  he  bought  of  Rev.  Perley  Howe,  to  Elijah  Fuller  a  "trader." 
Dec.  2,  1836,  Abijah  Monroe  sold  to  Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr.     He  re-sold 


296  History  of  Surry 

the  same  month  to  Dea.  Ichabod  Ballou,  18  square  rods  land  and  build- 
ings for  $115.00.  Ballou  sold  to  widow  Sarah  Humphrey,  July  2,  1840. 
Jonas  Pollard  was  here  1845/6,  and  Benjamin  C.  Crosby  between  1848 
and  1871.  The  house  was  torn  down  1874  (?)  and  nothing  now  marks 
its  site. 

67.  This  building,  22  x  32  feet  was  the  old  school  house  in  the  village  accord- 

ing to  those  now  living — see  No.  60.  Apr.  21,  1835,  Ziba  Chase  sold  an 
acre  of  land  (10  x  16  rods)  to  Phinehas  Wheelock  who  probably  moved 
the  school  house  here  about  that  time.  Phinehas  gave  S50.00  for  the 
land  and  Sept.  14,  in  the  same  year  sold  to  Samuel  Robinson  land  and 
buildings  for  $165.00.  In  1840,  George  Brown  bought  the  place  and  in 
1869  the  family  sold  to  Mrs.  Dolly  Converse  for  §400.00.  She  sold  to 
Benjamin  C.  Crosby,  Nov.  2,  1871,  and  the  property  has  since  been  in 
their  hands,  including  some  additional  land.  No  one  has  lived  there 
permanently  for  20  years.     Two  families  have  occupied  at  same  time. 

68.  Josiah  Kilburn  drew  this  lot  and  sold  to  Abel  Allen  about  1762  who  soon 

moved  to  town  and  lived  on  this  farm  until  his  death,  1808.  Samuel 
Allen  owned  the  farm  prior  to  1818.  Capt.  Thomas  Humphrey  bought 
about  1822,  and  in  1827  opened  a  tavern.  After  his  death  in  1832  his 
widow  remained,  running  the  tavern  as  late  as  1836,  and  removed  per- 
haps to  No.  66  about  1840.  John  Johnson  was  here,  1841-42  and  was 
postmaster;  George  Johnson,  1845-51;  Rev.  Joseph  Allen;  Bradley  Brit- 
ton  who  divided  the  farm,  taking  the  north  part  for  himself — see  No. 
71.  Daniel  Abbot  came  about  1859,  being  followed  by  Frank  E.  Nesmith 
who  lived  here  most  of  time  until  Oct.  1922,  when  he  removed  to  West- 
moreland Depot.  Hermon  0.  Streeter  lived  her  1868;  Herbert  R,  Crane 
and  Robert  M.  Crane,  1920-22,  and  probably  others. 

Across  the  yard  south  of  the  house  formerly  stood  a  long  driveway 
used  when  the  tavern  was  in  operation.  This  building  was  standing 
until  after  1850.  The  present  ell  formerly  ran  north  and  south,  cor- 
nering on  the  south-east  corner  of  the  house.  On  the  top  floor  is  the  old 
ball-room,  in  which  dances  and  singing  schools  were  held  many  years 
ago.  Before  the  Congregational  church  was  built,  services  were  held  in 
this  hall  during  1837/8,  and  in  1848  (?)  a  brisk  fire  was  burning  on  the 
roof  of  the  house  when  men  went  into  the  garret  with  water,  axes  and 
bars,  chopped  and  pried  off"  the  roof  boards  thus  saving  the  building. 

69.  The  site  of  a  house  near  foot  of  Surry  mountain.     The  spot  has  not  been 

found  by  the  writer,  but  said  to  have  been  20  rods  south  of  Lily  pond 
brook  and  near  the  base  of  the  mountain.  Probably  it  is  on  L.  1,  R.  8, 
drawn  by  Samuel  Banning  and  sold  to  John  Banning,  1768,  then  to 
Thomas  Harvey. 

69%.  In  1921  Stuart  W.  Green,  a  printer  in  Keene,  erected  a  log  house  on 
this  spot  in  which  the  family  have  lived  to  some  extent  during  summer. 
It  is  well  built  and  represents  skill  and  labor. 

70.  This  probably  was  the  south  part  of  L.  2;  R.  6,  drawn  by  Noah  Beebe 

and  sold  to  Samuel  Gilbert,  Jr.  (?),  then  to  Levi  Fuller.  David  Allen 
and  Phinehas  Allen  lived  here  prior  to   1850,  then  Mrs.  Rachel  Allen 


Residences 


297 


and  her  two  dau.  Rachel  and  Roxy.  Harry  D.  Randall  bought  the  place 
and  in  1852  (?)  made  general  repairs.  The  present  ell  was  the  old 
house  and  stood  side  to  the  road.  Mr.  R.  turned  it  quarter  way  round, 
and  purchased  the  old  Dea.  David  Reed  house  at  No.  140,  tore  it  down 
and  rebuilt  it  as  the  front  portion  of  the  house  now  standing  at  this 
place.     He  was  a  shoemaker  and  had  his  shop  in  his  house.     Rev.  Joseph 


Residence  uk  Dr.  W.  H.  Porter.     No.  70. 

Allen  was  here  short  time,  also  Joseph  Wright.     In  1865  Dr.  William 
H.  Porter  bought  and  settled  here  and  it  has  since  been  owned  by  Dr. 
and  Mrs.  Porter  and  now  by  Kate  H.  Porter. 
The  Post  Office  was  in  this  house  several  years. 

71.  Bradley  Britton  built  and  occupied  this  house  in  the  summer  of  1859  on 

the  north  end  of  farm  No.  68.  The  timber  came  from  the  old  Mansfield 
house  which  stood  about  a  mile  north  of  No.  140  in  Alstead.  Since  the 
death  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Britton,  his  son-in-law,  Frank  D.  W.  Carpenter 
has  occupied  the  farm. 

71^.  From  the  survey  of  the  highway  in  1772,  201  rods  northward  from  the 
fence  by  No.  39  was  "Mack's  old  hovel."  The  exact  location  is  unknown, 
but  probably  stood  near  this  number  on  map. 

72.  Dr.  Philip  Monroe  is  believed  to  have  lived  here  when  he  first  came  to 

town  as  early  as  1783/4  and  removed  to  No.  23,  1790.  Abner  Skinner 
sold  to  Rev.  Perley  Howe  Oct.  13,  1797,  30  acres  both  sides  of  the  high- 
way. Rev.  Mr.  Howe  lived  here  until  he  built  at  No.  73,  1812.  Apr,  10, 
1835,  he  sold  to  Jonathan  Harvey,  Jr.,  his  son-in-law,  stipulating,  that 
himself  and  wife  should  be  provided  for  through  life.  The  house  stood 
near  an  elm  tree  south-east  of  No.  73  and  was  removed  prior  to  1835, 
and  now,  nothing  marks  its  site.  With  the  meager  salary  which  Mr. 
Howe  received  from  the  town,  which  was  seldom  paid  when  due,  it  was 
necessary  for  him  to  till  his  farm  in  order  to  suppoi't  his  family. 

73.  Rev.  Perley  Howe  built  this  house,  1812  and  lived  here  until  death,  1840. 

Jonathan  Harvey,  Jr.,  lived  here  after  about  1835  until  his  death,  1862, 


-98  History  of  Surry 

then  it  fell  to  Persis  Harvey  and  has  since  been  owned  by  members  of 
that  family.  James  E.  Harvey  moved  here  Apr.  1919.  Among  those 
who  have  rented  and  lived  here  during  the  last  50  years  are  the  follow- 
ing: George  W.  Britton,  1873;  William  H.  Wright;  George  W.  Field, 
1880;  Henry  L.  Wilbur  for  about  20  years;  Jedd  R.  Wilder;  George  N. 
Conley;  Rev.  Henry  S.  Kimball;  Arthur  E.  Salley.  About  1873,  the 
lightning  struck  the  buildings  and  killed  several  small  pigs. 


No.  73  AND  No.  76. 

74.  A  few  rods  south  of  No.  75  and  quite  near  the  highway  Elijah  Norris  had 

a  blacksmith  shop,  1821.  He  sold  that  year  to  Francis  Hathorn.  Noth- 
ing now  marks  its  site;  by  whom  and  when  bviilt  is  unknown. 

75.  On  the  spot  whei-e  Hollis  W.  Harvey  now  has  an  ice  house  stood  a  small 

one  story  dwelling  until  torn  down  by  George  K.  Harvey  after  1862. 
It  stood  side  to  the  highway;  old  and  weatherbeaten.  A  few  acres  of 
land  where  it  stood  was  severed  from  No.  76  and  reunited  as  will  be 
noted.  There  is  little  doubt  that  this  is  where  Job  Gleason  was  living, 
when  the  road  was  laid  out  June  1,  1765.  Tradition  says  Justus  Chapin 
was  living  here  when  his  dau.  Betty  was  born,  1777.  In  1808  John  Hill 
occupied  the  place;  Elijah  Norris,  1821,  when  he  ran  the  shop  No.  74, 
then  Francis  Hathorn.  Asa  Wilcox  the  Rev.  soldier  came  1836  and  died, 
1840;  Benjamin  C.  Crosby,  1849;  Mrs.  Ruhannah  (Benton)  Davis; 
Catherine  (Kate)  Tyler  bought  1840  and  sold  to  Jonathan  Harvey,  Apr. 
17,  1862.  Chandler  Wilbur,  Sr.,  1856-57  and  John  A.  Gushing.  Dean 
Tyler  also  lived  here  several  years  about  1845/50  (?)  A  sumptuous 
dinner  was  served  at  a  marriage  in  this  house,  Aug.  16,  1857.  The  good 
parson  remained  to  the  feast,  and  commended  the  mistress  on  the  lainb 


Residences  299 

and  her  cookery.  This  pleased  one  of  the  younger  boys  who  stuttered, 
"It  was  nothing  but  a  wo-o-o-odchuck."  The  barn  connected  with  this 
place  formerly  stood  across  the  Dort  road  several  rods  north  of  the 
house. 

76.  Samuel  Gilbert  drew  this  lot — R.  6;  L.  3 — with  other  land.     Joshua  Ful- 

ler settled  here  about  1764  and  sold  to  his  son  Levi,  May  12,  1783.  Aug. 
3,  1821,  Levi  Fuller  sold  (mortgage)  to  Dan  Hough  of  Keene.  June  13, 
1823,  Augustus  Johnson  bought — 190  acres.  Mar.  25,  1834,  John  Wait 
advertised  this  farm  for  sale.  Seth  Morton,  Samuel  Hartwell  of  Lang- 
don  and  his  son  E.  Holbrook  Hartwell  bought.  The  latter  sold  to  Jona- 
than Harvey,  Jr.,  Mar.  25,  1852  and  soon  after  Jonathan  Sr.,  and  his 
dau.,  Mrs.  Nancy  B.  Whitman,  moved  hither.  Hon.  George  K.  Harvey 
took  over  the  property  about  time  of  his  marriage  and  his  widow  and 
children  still  reside  there.  The  old  Fuller  house  was  a  large  two  story 
dwelling;  had  a  dance  hall.  In  1811  Levi  Fuller  took  out  a  tavern  li- 
cense and  for  some  years  this  was  a  public  house.  George  K.  Harvey 
tore  the  old  house  down  and  built  present  one,  1863.  At  the  raising  the 
townsmen  all  took  part,  and,  Mr.  Harvey  who  was  a  strong  temperance 
man,  furnished  a  generous  supply  of  lemonade.  The  next  morning  the 
village  doctor  was  in  the  store  and  told  the  merchant  he  and  one  other 
man  drank  more  of  Harvey's  lemonade  than  any  other  two  men —  "I 
drank  one  glass  and  Jim  Stuart  drank  13."  Mr.  G.  K.  Harvey  built 
present  barn,  1874. 

Lewis  L.  Cotton  lived  here  a  short  time. 

77.  A  building  stood  here  many  years  ago  in  which  potash  was  made;   1878 

(?),  George  K.  Harvey  put  in  a  water  wheel  on  Fuller  brook  where  he 
cut  up  his  fire  wood  for  several  years,  and  also  had  his  sugar  house 
here.     The  building  went  to  decay  and  fell  during  a  high  wind,  1914. 

78.  In  the  house  lot  and  north  of  No.  76  can  still  be  seen  a  few  foundation 

stones  near  the  corner  of  the  wall  which  marks  the  site  of  Elijah  Fuller's 
store,  opened  as  early  as  1814.  He  and  William  Baxter  were  "traders" 
here  in  1820,  at  which  time  Fuller  appears  to  have  suddenly  left  town. 

79.  The  site  of  a  house  which  stood  near  the  foot  of  the  mountain  in  early 

times.  Who  built  and  occupied  this  spot  has  not  been  discovered,  but 
the  site  can  still  be  found  by  a  few  acquainted  with  the  land.  It  ap- 
pears to  have  been  a  part  of  the  farm  Joshua  Fuller  sold  his  son,  Levi, 
May  12,  1783.    A  few  old  apple  trees  mark  the  tillage. 

80.  This  is  the  north  40  acres  of  Joshua  Fuller's  home  place,  which  he  sold 

to  Levi  May  12,  1783.  Lewis  Carpenter  is  said  to  have  lived  here. 
Augustus  Johnson  bought  and  sold  to  John  Wait,  1829,  and  apparently 
he  bought  back  the  property  Dec.  25,  1843,  then  sold  to  his  son  Charles 
Aug,  15,  1854.  John  Johnson  bought  farm  Apr.  16,  1870  and  soon  after 
hot  ashes  placed  in  a  barrel  caused  a  fire  which  destroyed  the  old  house. 
John  built  the  present  one  that  year  on  the  old  site.  Myron  H.  Porter 
the  present  owner  bought  of  the  Johnson  heirs,  and  Clarence  H.  French, 
his  son-in-law,  has  also  lived  there  since,  1913. 


300  History  of  Surry 

81.  The  first  house  here  was  moved  intact  from  No.  87,  about  1858  by  Andrew 

J.  Allen;  62  pair  of  oxen,  all  belonging  in  town,  were  used  at  its  mov- 
ing. Allen  moved  to  Keene  in  1861,  Alanson  D.  Comstock  buying  the 
property.  Bradley  Britton  lived  here  Apr.-Nov.  1859  while  building  his 
new  house  at  No.  71.  John  H.  Rogers  came  in  the  spring  of  1862;  his 
(1)  wife  died,  1863;  during  a  high  wind  one  night  about  that  time  the 
roof  on  one  side  of  the  house  was  taken  off,  exposing  the  chambers  where 
his  children  were  sleeping,  but  no  one  was  injured.  Geoi-ge  W.  Britton 
here;  John  Johnson,  1870,  after  his  fire  at  No.  80;  George  Wright,  1871. 
Dr.  W.  H.  Porter  bought  property  1876  in  connection  with  his  farm  at 
No.  70,  and  it  has  since  been  owned  by  Myron  H.  Porter.  The  old  house 
was  occupied  by  Joseph  Palmer,  Lewis  Buchard,  and  possibly  other  wood 
choppers  prior  to  1890;  went  to  decay,  and  torn  down  by  Mr.  Porter, 
1893  (?),  one  of  the  barns  has  remained.  Henry  P.  Porter  received  the 
land  and  on  the  old  house-site  erected  a  new  dwelling  into  which  he 
moved  from  No.  64  Oct.  1921. 

82.  The  site  of  this  house  marked  by  a  depression  in  the  ground  can  still  be 

seen  in  the  field  on  top  of  the  knoll,  and  not  far  from  a  spring  of  water. 
The  house  has  been  gone  over  80  years  and  we  know  but  little  regarding 
its  history.  One  member  of  the  Skinner  family  lived  on  or  near  this 
place,  1772.  Oren  Shelley  was  living  here  about  1835.  Tradition  says 
the  material  in  this  house  was  used  in  erecting  some  of  the  buildings  at 
No.  96. 

83.  We  believe  this  was  R.  6,  L.  4,  drawn  by  Jonathan  Smith,  Jr.,  and  sold 

to  Abner  Skinner,  Sept.  3,  1770,  who  was  living  here,  1772.  A  complete 
list  of  those  owning  this  property  and  living  here  is  not  at  hand.  Jona- 
than Harvey,  Sr.,  moved  from  No.  172  and  opened  a  tavern,  1817;  Levi 
Willard,  1823  (?);  Isaiah  Robbins  and  John  Allen  ran  the  stand,  1830 
to  '35  (?)  ;  Sylvester  Pond  here  about  that  time;  Bradley  Britton  prior 
to  1850;  Marshall  B.  Britton  who  swapped  farms  with  Samuel  H. 
Poole  (No.  62);  Willard  Mansfield  prior  to  his  death,  1854;  James 
Stuart,  1863;  George  C.  Hubbard,  1868;  Frank  D.  Griswold  owned  it 
a  while;  Henry  L.  Wilber;  Mason  A.  Carpenter  at  time  Mr.  Poole  lived 
here,  1876;  Francis  A.  Bolster  several  years  prior  to  his  death,  also 
Charles  L.  Kimmens  his  son-in-law;  Earl  Goff;  Charles  S.  Payne; 
Archie  G.  Wilder;  Otis  W.  and  Fred  E.  Kingsbury;  Melvin  B.  Guillow 
two  (?)  years,  and  died  1916;  George  Malcolm  came  Sept.  1916. 
Luther  Guillow  said  to  have  also  lived  on  this  farm  a  short  time. 

84.  Samuel  H.  Pool,  1870,  built  a  blacksmith  shop  which  stood  until  after 

his  death,  then  moved  to  No.  45  and  made  into  a  shop  where  trays  were 
made,  and  in  1918  was  again  moved  and  is  now  a  bai-n  at  No.  33. 

85.  Eliphalet  Dart  was  living  on  or  near  this  spot  in  1766,  then  his  son  Eli 

the  town  clerk  many  years,  then  Capt.  Eliphalet  Dort  came  from  No. 
98,  was  here  till  his  death  in  1869.  William  L.  and  Otis  W.  Kingsbury 
from  1872/3  till  Otis  moved  to  No.  83.  One  winter  there  was  an  ice  jam 
in  the  river  and  the  overflow  surrounded  the  buildings  for  two  days;  the 
cattle  in  the  barn  stood  in  over  a  foot  of  water  one  night  while  Mr. 
Kingsbury  was  a  prisoner  in  his  house  bewailing  the  loss  of  his  pork 


Residences  301 

and  potatoes.  Augustus  Kingsbury  was  here  about  1843;  W.  Henry 
Kingsbury  a  year,  1867;  and  Sidney  J.  Wilder  soon  after  1902  (?). 
Several  lived  on  the  place  between  1904  and  1910,  Clifton  Chambers, 
Mrs.  Melvina  Durant,  Will  Davis  and  Will  Rollins.  Victor  Lamminen 
bought  and  settled  here  Dec.  1910.  The  old  Dort  house  which  stood  till 
torn  down,  1915,  was  32  x  45  feet  square  one  story,  with  attic  chambers; 
a  great  chimney,  the  size  in  the  cellar  was  14  x  16  feet;  had  old  Dutch 
oven;  two  fire-places,  up  and  down  stairs. 

Mr.    Lamminen   built   on   the   old   site   his   present   dwelling,   summer 
1915. 

86.  Capt.  Eliphalet  Dort  had  his  wheelright  shop  on  this  spot,  1850.     He  not 

only  made  carriages,  sleighs  and  general  woodwork,  but  made  most  of 
the  coffins  used  in  town  for  many  years,  for  which  he  received  from 
$1.50  to  $5.00  each.  The  site  of  this  shop  is  obliterated. 

87.  Nothing  now  marks  the  site  of  this  house  which  was  moved  to  No.  81, 

about  1858.  It  stood  in  the  field  as  indicated  on  the  map.  According  to 
the  records,  Ichabod  Smith,  1766,  was  probably  living  here;  in  Jan.  1799 
Moses  Haselton  bought  and  he  sold  to  Jeremiah  Robbins,  1808.  1831, 
it  was  called  the  Oliver  Fox  place,  and  in  1832,  George  (Jacket)  Blake 
was  here.  Otis  Phillips,  1845-6,  then  Chandler  Wilbur.  In  1857,  Rev. 
Abram  Tileston  came  here;  was  a  farmer  during  the  week  and  a  preach- 
er on  the  Sabbath. 

88.  This  house  said  to  have  been  erected  for  a  tavern  not  far  from  1800,  at 

which  time  the  highway  ran  near  the  west  end  of  the  house,  but  it  was 
never  opened  to  the  public.  The  early  history  is  not  fully  established; 
however,  we  give  a  possible  key  to  the  situation.  Joseph  Spencer  drew 
L.  5;  R.  6,  and  sold  40  acres  to  Ebenezer  Daniels  Mar.  6,  1770  with  build- 
ings, and  the  south  10  acres  of  said  lot  to  Jonathan  Smith,  Jr.  Smith 
sold  same  year  to  Abner  Skinner  who  probably  built  here,  and  making 
additions  to  his  10  acre  farm.  A  widow  Smith  lived  here,  1822;  George 
Blake  and  his  son,  Francis  W.,  between  1840  and  1850;  Rev.  Joseph 
Allen;  John  A.  Gushing;  John  Kingsbury  who  sold  Feb.  1885.  W.  Wal- 
lace Wilcox  owned  the  place  and  had  general  repairs  made,  1888,  then 
George  H.  Wilcox  bought  property.  Since  1907,  James  V.  Stillings  has 
lived  here.  William  Hubbard  and  wife  lived  here,  1850,  at  same  time 
as  George  Blake;  Charles  L.  Smith,  Dec.  1884  to  Dec.  1887;  Francis  F. 
Field  and  others. 

89.  Nothing  above  ground  has  marked  the  site  of  this  dwelling  for  over  60 

years,  except  a  clump  of  shrubbery,  but  when  the  land  is  tilled  the  old 
site  can  still  be  found.  We  believe  this  was  on  the  40  acres  which 
Joseph  Spencer  sold  to  Ebenezer  Daniels,  Mar.  6,  1770,  as  noted  under 
No.  88.  Buildings  were  on  this  land  when  Daniels  bought.  He  sold  Aug. 
5,  1785  to  Abner  Skinner,  40  acres.  Sept.  14,  1797,  Skinner  to  John 
Wilcox  and  he  sold  to  Gaylord  Wilcox  Jan.  15,  1798.  Between  1825  and 
1830  Cyrus  Bemis,  who  married  Elmina  Wilcox,  lived  here. 

90.  A  cellar  hole  in  the  open  pasture  plainly  marks  the  site  of  this  house. 

Samuel  Gilbert,  Esq.,  drew  L.  5;   R.  5,  and  sold  to   Clement   Sumner. 


302  History  of  Surry 

June  12,  1773,  Obadiah  Wilcox  bought  and  is  supposed  to  have  built  on 
this  site  as  on  Mar.  3,  1784,  he  sold  to  John  Wilcox  the  south  half  with 
half  of  the  buildings.  Jan.  3,  1788,  Obadiah  sold  the  north  half  and  the 
place  "whei'e  I  now  live"  to  John,  who  sold  to  Gaylord  Wilcox,  Jan.  15, 
1798 — only  three  days  before  his  death.  This  "Obadiah"  perhaps  refers 
to  Obadiah  Jr.  The  land  has  been  a  part  of  the  Wilcox  homestead  for 
many  years.  Thomas  Field  a  blacksmith  of  Keene  and  Rev.  soldier 
came  into  town  about  1793  and  is  said  to  have  lived  here  a  year  or  two. 

91.  This  cellar  hole  is  near  two  large  sugar  maple  trees,  in  the  open  pasture 

and  is  possibly  the  "north  half"  of  the  lot  which  Obadiah  Wilcox  re- 
tained, Mar.  3,  1784,  as  noted  under  No.  90,  We  suspect  he  built  and 
this  was  the  place  "where  I  now  live"  when  he  sold  this  land  to  John 
Wilcox,  Jan.  3,  1788.     This  also  is  a  part  of  the  Wilcox  homestead. 

92.  Hollis  Wilcox  built  a  cider  mill  here  about  1830  which  stood  25  or  30 

years.  It  stood  in  the  bank  near  the  highway,  where  the  new  entrance 
to  this  set  of  buildings  was  built,  1919. 

93.  Obadiah  Wilcox  settled  here  about   1764,  according  to  Gilsum   History, 

page  176,  and  tradition.  Evidently  the  property  fell  to  Gaylord  Wilcox 
who  built  the  present  two-story  house,  1815,  and  after  his  death  his  son 
Hollis  took  over  the  farm,  then  George  H.  Wilcox  held  an  interest.  Oct. 
19,  1886,  W.  Wallace  Wilcox  of  Chicago  bought  the  old  homestead  and 
soon  after  made  extensive  repairs  on  house,  and  rebuilt  present  barns. 
Mrs.  Wilcox  continues  to  own  property;  leasing  the  same.  Charles  C. 
Olmstead  1887  until  about  about  1900;  Sidney  J.  Wilder,  1900-1920, 
when  George  B.  Conley  came.  The  old  highway  up  the  valley  ran 
northward  on  the  east  side  of  this  house.  After  the  present  highway 
was  built  a  short  road  descended  to  the  house  then  ascended  a  steep 
pitch  to  the  highway.     Remains  can  still  be  seen  of  the  old  road-bed. 

Tradition  says  a  man  rolled  a  hogshead  of  molasses  up  the  north  hill 
on  a  wager  many  years  ago.  By  removing  all  the  small  stones  from  the 
path  he  "boosted  the  cask  forward  a  few  inches"  then  blocked  up  with 
cobble  stones  until  he  finally  won  the  goal. 

94.  Early  in  1880  a  boarding  house  18  x  40  feet,  two  story  high  was  erected 

by  the  Granite  State  Gold  and  Silver  Mining  Co.,  on  the  west  side  and 
fairly  near  the  top  of  Surry  mountain,  only  a  few  rods  west  of  the 
shaft  the  company  sank  that  spring.  This  building  was  in  use  only  a 
few  months  when  work  was  begun  on  the  "Gilsum  side"  of  the  mountain 
and  buildings  were  erected  there.  A  Mrs.  Lowell  ran  this  house.  The 
building  was  in  plain  sight  of  Surry  village;  torn  down  about  1892. 
100  (?)  rods  south-east  of  this  place  and  on  top  of  the  mountain  a  log 
cabin  was  built,  1894,  where  choppers  lived  a  year  or  two — see  map. 
The  Mining  Co.  buildings  on  the  Gilsum  side  of  the  mountain  were  built, 
1880  and  later,  and  stood  some  20  years,  most  of  them  went  to  decay. 
There  were  two  boarding  houses,  a  smelter,  blacksmith  shop,  etc. 

95.  Levi  Brooks  had  a  wheelright  shop  in  his  yard  where  he  worked  many 

years  prior  to  his  death,  1853.    Nothing  now  marks  its  site. 


Residences 


303 


96.  After  the  death  of  Gaylord  Wilcox  this  part  of  his  estate  was  sold  at 

auction  to  Asa  Wilcox,  Jr.,  who  erected  a  distillery  for  making  cider 
brandy.  The  malt-house  stood  near  a  spring  a  few  rods  northwesterly 
of  the  present  buildings,  until  after  1828  and  is  understood  to  have  been 
moved  and  is  now  the  barn  on  the  place.  1820,  Asa  sold  to  Jonathan 
Robinson,  Jr.,  5  acres;  Mar.  26,  1828,  Levi  Brooks  bought  property. 
Many  have  owned  or  lived  here  in  the  last  70  years.  Lorenzo  Haskins, 
1879;  John  H.  Knight;  Merrill  D.  Carpenter,  1883;  Isaiah  Brooks  sold, 
1887,  to  Susan  K.  Perkins.  Cornelia  F.  Forbes  held  an  interest.  Bertha 
P.  Paul  bought  and  sold  to  Otis  W.  Kingsbury  who  moved  here  from 
No.  83.  He  sold  to  Fred  A.  Nason  who  came  here  1917;  after  his  death 
his  widow  sold  to  Clifford  L.  Sturtevant  of  Keene,  and  he  sold  Sept. 
1922,  to  Horace  W.  Howard  who  moved  in  from  Gilsum.  Fred  B. 
Marshall  also  lived  here  at  one  time. 

97.  A  20  X  20  foot  wheelwright  shop  was  bought  of  Asa  Wilcox,  Jr.,  in  1823 

by  Capt.  Eliphalet  Dort,  who  retained  the  shop  when  in  1830  he  sold 
adjacent  property  connected  with  the  toll-gate.  This  shop  stood  as 
shown  on  map;  east  side  of  highway  and  quite  near  the  gate. 

98.  In    1805   the    Cheshire   Turnpike   from   Keene   to   Charlestown   was   con- 

structed and  not  long  after  the  company  bought  a  plot  of  land  8  x  10 
rods  from  off  the  Wilcox  farm  and  this  dwelling  with  the  toll-gate  was 
erected;  exact  date  unknown.-  In  1830  there  was  a  dwelling  house  on 
the  west  side  of  the  highway,  connecting  a  shoemaking  shop  on  the  east 


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Site  of  The  Toll  Gate. 

side  by  an  open  driveway  in  which  the  gate  was  hung,  and  near  the 
shop  was  a  store.  In  1839  we  find  the  following  buildings  clustered 
around  this  gate:  In  the  west  side  of  the  road,  a  dwelling  house  where 
the  toll  gatherer  lived,  cheese  house,  barn,  woodshed  and  pigpen;  on  east 
side,  a  shoeshop,  store  and  wheelwright  shop.     About  1842  the  taking 


304  History  of  Surry 

of  toll  was  discontinued  and  Jason  Wetherbee  of  Charlestown  sold  his 
interest  in  this  property  to  Solomon  Caswell,  Oct.  18,  1842.  The  build- 
ings on  east  side  and  the  gate  house  were  removed  about  that  time, 
while  the  house  and  barn  remained.  Miss  Forbes  sold  the  house  to  C. 
D.  Fitzgerald  who  tore  it  down  Sept.  1898,  and  the  barn  was  also  re- 
moved about  that  time  and  now  only  a  sag  in  the  ground  marks  the  old 
cellar  hole.  Aaron  Loveland  was  gate  keeper,  1811-13  and  was  licensed 
"to  sell  and  mix."  Eliphalet  Dort  sold  the  property  to  Elihu  Dort  Apr. 
6,  1827.  1829,  Capt.  Elihu  sold  to  Henry  Britton.  Capt.  Charles  John- 
son here  1833-39;  Solomon  Caswell,  1839-42;  Aaron  Denio,  1842-44; 
Lewis  Carpenter,  1844-53;  Asa  B.  Clark,  1853-54;  Hiram  Britton  2d, 
1854  till  his  death  then  his  widow  and  Daniel  F.  Caldwell  several  years, 
they  being  the  last  occupants.  Mrs.  Ruhannah  (Benton)  Davis  was 
living  here  at  her  death,  1864;  Ernest  W.  Carpenter,  Rev.  Joseph  Faw- 
cett  and  others  lived  here.  Susan  K.  Perkins  or  Cornelia  F.  Forbes 
bought  and  joined  this  property  to  No.  96. 

99.  Site  of  the  store  east  of  the  shoe  shop  connected  to  the  toll  gate.     Was 

moved  off  this  land  before  1845;  material  said  to  have  been  used  in 
building  the  house  at  No.  111. 

100.  1856  (?),  Curtis  C.  Carpenter  bought  an  acre  of  land  and  moved  this 
house  to  this  spot  from  No.  101.  May  12,  1871,  he  sold  the  property  to 
I.  Sumner  Wilder  and  he  sold  to  Willard  Streeter.  1873  Willard  con- 
veyed same  to  his  son,  Herman,  who  made  additions  to  farm  and  build- 
ings and  lived  there  until  his  death.  His  widow,  Hattie,  sold  the  prop- 
erty to  James  M.  Erwin,  Sept.  1921,  who  still  owns  same,  and  has  Frank 
French  there  as  manager. 

101.  Mar.  27,  1832,  Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr.,  bought  the  old  James  Kingsbury 
house  at  No.  141,  tore  it  down  and  rebuilt  on  this  site,  a  house  where 
his  aged  father  lived  and  died,  1838,  a  Rev.  soldier,  and  a  much  re- 
spected citizen.  John  A.  Cushing  and  probably  others,  then  Curtis  C. 
Carpenter  who  moved  the  house  to  No.  100,  as  noted. 

102.  Josiah  Kilburn  drew  L.  6;  R.  5,  and  sold  to  Ebenezer  Kilburn,  and  he 
sold  Aug.  2,  1765,  to  Moses  D.  Field  who  settled  here  and  this  was  in 
the  Field  family  until,  Jonathan  Robinson,  Sr.  and  Jr.,  bought  Dec.  28, 
1824.  Isaac  Field  had  a  tavern  in  the  old  house,  1809,  Eliphaz  Field 
lived  here  until  he  moved  to  No.  8,  1821,  then  Cyrus  Field  had  interest. 
Robinson  sold  to  Willard  Streeter,  Mar.  1853,  who  moved  from  No.  159 
and  here  he  spent  his  remaining  days,  then  his  widow  till  her  death 
1888.  Daniel  Wilder  bought  and  his  son,  Sidney  J.,  was  here  until  a 
fire  destroyed  all  this  set  of  buildings,  Aug.  21,  1900,  caused  by  fire  in 
an  arch  in  the  shed.  A  second  fire  destroyed  a  small  barn  on  the  place, 
about  1904.  Antonio  LaBounty  bought  and  built  present  house.  June, 
1910,  Allen  L.  Green  bought  and  settled  here.  Fred  A.  Wright  lived 
here,  1888,  Bethuel  J.  Davis,  1865  (?),  and  in  the  new  house,  Clifton 
Chambers,  John  H.  Ocain,  James  M.  Erwin,  summer,  1922.  Eliphaz 
Field  &  Isaac  Field  kept  tavern,  1811.  There  was  a  large  driveway 
which  stood  in  the  door  yard,  and  the  bar  room  was  in  the  south  east 
corner  of  the  old  house. 


Residences  305 

103.  June  12,  1812,  Isaac  and  Eliphaz  Field  sold  to  Asa  Wilcox,  Jr.,  two 
acres  off  their  farm  for  $100.00;  bounded,  east  of  Cheshire  Turnpike 
road,  and  north  on  the  Carpenter  road.  Mr.  Wilcox  erected  the  house 
and  sold  property  to  John  T.  Wilcox  and  Cyrus  Field,  Sept.  1813,  for 
$200.00.  Asa  Wilcox  took  property  back  and  sold  again  same  day  to 
Willard  Smith  for  $500.00.  After  death  of  Willard  the  property  was 
sold,  Mar.  16,  1826,  at  auction  to  Dr.  Jonathan  E.  Davis.  1828,  Dr.  Davis 
sold  to  Jonathan  Robinson,  Jr.  Feb.  1829,  Willard  Carpenter  bought 
for  S250.00  and  sold  1838  to  Henry  (Harry)  Britton  who  moved  here 
from  No.  140.     1862,  I.  Sumner  Wilder  bought,  then  Daniel  Wilder  had 


Residence  of  Willard  Streeter.     No.  102. 

property  and  lived  here  most  of  time  till  he  removed  to  Keene,  1900. 
Henry  E,  Lake  of  Keene  bought  and  sold  to  Frederick  Kamp  who  still 
holds  claim  on  the  farm.  Leon  M.  Osborne  was  here,  1896-98;  Henry 
Blake,  John  Richardson,  the  Lavinder  (?)  bros.;  Evart  E.  Peterson, 
Frank  E.  Pomroy,  etc. 

104.  Sumner  Wilder  built  this  house  about  1865,  and  John  A.  Blake  lived 
here  a  while.  John  P.  Gay,  1870;  George  Wright,  1876;  James  Selkirk; 
Walter  R.  Scripture;  John  Sewall;  a  widow  Smith;  Wesley  Blake;  Dan- 
iel Bunker;  Calvin  D.  Fitzgerald;  Fred  Roundy;  Daniel  Wilder  when 
he  first  came  to  town;  Dana  D.  Wilder,  etc.  Herbert  R.  Crane  bought 
and  had  the  house  moved  to  No.  49  whei-e  enlarged  it  now  stands. 

105.  Apr.  11,  1785,  it  was  voted  to  build  a  school  house  "on  the  Great  Road 
and  near  the  road  that  runs  West  to  Jedediah  Carpenter's";  said  house 
to  be  raised  "by  the  first  Day  of  July  next."  This  was  the  first  school 
building  north  of  the  village,  and  doubtless  stood  at  the  spot  as  shown 
on  map.  After  being  given  up  for  school  purposes  the  town  considered 
taking  it  for  "a  poor  house." 

106.  John  Mack  drew  L.  7;  R.  5,  and  sold  to  Samuel  Gilbert,  1763.  He  sold 
to  Jonathan  Smith,  then  Thomas  Smith  was  here,  1771.  Samuel  Sawyer 
a  goldsmith  of  Alstead  came  1794  and  remained  until  his  death,  1812. 
He  had  his  plating  shop  at  No,  107.     About  that  time  plates  for  making 


20 


306 


History  of  Surry 


Perkins  Homestead.    No.  106. 


Residences  307 

counterfeit  money  were  discovered  under  the  bridge  near  his  house, 
but  we  understand  no  one  was  arrested.  Thomas  Wheelock  of  Win- 
chester had  a  claim  on  place,  1823,  and  he  sold,  Apr.  1,  1824,  to  John 
Haile,  the  father  of  Hon.  William  Haile,  governor  of  New  Hampshire, 
1857-58.  Mr.  Haile  sold  Jan.  23,  1828,  to  Joseph  Allen  who  lived  here 
till  1839  when  he  sold  to  Enoch  Whitcomb  and  moved  to  No.  48.  Enoch 
lived  here  till  his  death,  1841,  then  his  son  David  had  the  place  until 
1854.  Esq.  Sylvester  Smith  came  here  from  No,  164  about  1855. 
William  Perkins  moved  here  from  No.  155,  1858,  and  the  place  has  since 
been  owned  by  the  Perkins  family — Charles  H.,  C.  Wallace  and  now  his 
widow.  William  Perkins  made  numerous  repairs  on  the  house  and  built 
the  barn  by  the  road,  1859,  of  material  from  the  buildings  on  his  hill 
place. 

Two  families  have  at  the  same  time  frequently  lived  in  this  house: 
Those  here,  John  T.  Wilcox,  1815;  Sumner  W.  Black,  1856;  Artemas  A. 
Adams,  1853;  Noah  Allen,  1883;  and  Henry  L.  Wilbur  was  here  and 
carried  on  the  farm  two  years. 

July  7,  1794,  Moses  Hale  surveyed  the  Streeter  road,  "from  Mr. 
Thomas  Smiths  to  Walpole  line  ....  began  at  a  Stake  &  Stones  on 
the  County  Road  Near  Sd  Smiths  Barn"  and  ran  westward. 

107.  But  little  now  marks  the  site  of  a  house  which  stood  until  1855. 
Samuel  Sawyer  had  his  plating  shop  here,  later  it  was  made  into  a 
dwelling  and  Mrs.  Phinehas  Wheelock  lived  in  it;  Mrs.  Sarah  (Reed) 
Wright,  the  grandmother  of  the  late  Dr.  George  W.  Gay;  also  Mrs. 
Ruhannah  (Rheuhannah)  Benton  Davis  in  her  old  age.  The  building 
finally  was  moved  and  made  into  a  sugar  house  by  William  Perkins. 

108.  Dr.  James  H.  Bradford  was  l